God's Not Dead 2 (2016)

Jon Lindstrom: Superintendent Jim Powell

Quotes 

• Superintendent Jim Powell : Good afternoon, Ms. Wesley. I've asked Bob Fessler to sit in, he's the school's attorney, to advise us on any legal issues we might be brushing up against.

  Grace Wesley : Should I have a lawyer, too?

  Superintendent Jim Powell : Oh, I don't see the need for that. Ms. Rizzo is present as your union representation.

  Grace Wesley : Okay.

  Superintendent Jim Powell : We are here to hear your side of the story. Now, I understand a student in your second-period history class asked a question about the parallels between the teachings of Gandhi and remarks allegedly made by Jesus.

  Grace Wesley : Yes, that's correct.

  Superintendent Jim Powell : And your answer incorporated specific detailed reference to those teachings that included Scripture itself, the words of Jesus.

  Grace Wesley : Yes.

  Mrs. Rizzo : What were you thinkin', Grace?

  Superintendent Jim Powell : Do you believe your response was in line with district policy?

  Grace Wesley : Yes.

  School Attorney : As well as in compliance with state and federal guidelines?

  Grace Wesley : Yes, sir.

  School Attorney : Well, Ms. Wesley, unfortunately for you, I'm fairly certain the school board will disagree.

• Principal Kinney : [after offering Grace a deal to avoid any further legal action]  I know her. She's not gonna go for it.

  Superintendent Jim Powell : How do we make this go away and not get blood on our hands?

  School Attorney : That's the easy part. We let the ACLU do it. They'll file suit against Ms. Wesley, and if she's found liable, which she will be, then we fire her for cause.

  Superintendent Jim Powell : But the school district will certainly be named as a co-defendant. We don't have the financial wherewithal to fight that.

  School Attorney : They've already been in touch. They aren't interested in punishing the school. They want her.

  Superintendent Jim Powell : Are you sure?

  School Attorney : Trust me. They've been dreaming of a case like this.

  Tom Endler : [returning with Grace]  While Ms. Wesley apologizes for any inconvenience her actions may have caused, Ms. Wesley stands by her statements, and she does not retract or recant them, either in full or in part.

  Superintendent Jim Powell : So noted. Having little choice, this board recommends continued suspension, henceforth without pay, pending review by a court of competent jurisdiction to determine whether or not Ms. Wesley violated local, state, or federal guidelines. This proceeding is adjourned.

• Superintendent Jim Powell : I assume Ms. Wesley understands that this board has the power to recommend any number of disciplinary actions, up to and including termination.

  Tom Endler : [before Grace can say anything]  She does. And this board should be aware that in the event of such termination, which we would view as both wrongful and without cause, she reserves all rights of redress.

  School Attorney : I may have a solution. There might be a way around all of this unpleasantness that would satisfy all parties. A disciplinary notice in Ms. Wesley's file stating the school board's objections to her behavior, a response from Ms. Wesley confessing the inappropriateness of and apologizing for her actions, along with a pledge not to engage in similar discussion of Jesus in the future.

  Tom Endler : I'm confident that we can move forward on that basis.

  Grace Wesley : No.

  Tom Endler : Grace...

  Grace Wesley : I can't.

  Tom Endler : [she gets up and leaves]  I'd like to request a brief recess to have a word with my client. Excuse me.