West High math teacher accused of anti-gay remarks plans to resign

After heavy criticism following reports that he said homosexuality is unnatural in class and told a student in a private conversation that associating with homosexuals is as sinful as being gay, West High School math teacher Richard Thompson plans to quit in June, according to the agenda for Tuesday's school board meeting.

Thompson's motivation for quitting is unclear; he couldn't be reached for comment Friday, and Tracy Unified School District officials refused to discuss the matter.

The news took West High student Justin Daley by surprise.

He is the president of the Gay-Straight Alliance, a student group that pressured the district to punish Thompson for his comments.

When he heard the news of Thompson's resignation, Daley said, "That is so pleasant, but I'm scared for the students in which he teaches in the future," the junior said.

He said Thompson's resignation is just one victory in a war to eradicate intolerance for gay, bisexual and transgender students attending Tracy schools.

"Mr. Thompson is a big part of the problem," he said. "There are still issues."

Students fling around words like "faggot" and "homo" at West and Tracy High School, according to Daley and the Tracy High GSA faculty advisor, choir director Matt Netto.

The two gay-straight alliance groups have united to fight discrimination and intolerance, Netto said.

Tracy High's GSA chapter recently expanded from two members to 18 after students read in the Tracy Press that Daley had talked to district officials April 12 in a closed meeting to discuss Thompson and other issues, Netto said.

Now, members are circulating "school climate" surveys at West and Tracy to gauge student behavior toward gays, lesbians and bisexuals, Netto said.

Several hundred surveys will be sent to the umbrella organization, the Gay-Straight Alliance Network in San Francisco, to show the extent of the problem, Netto said.

Superintendent Jim Franco said he welcomed the information and that the district would take it seriously.

To reach reporter Bobby Wilson, call 830-4221 or e-mail bwilson@tracypress.com.