The day had come.
Mrs. Finkle's trial with the school board.
Ned had entered, with no evidence, as he was there as a guest, not a speaker.
He took a seat between a mother and an employee from the same school his daughters went to.
This was going to be fun.
Mrs. Finkle was standing in front of the most important people in education.
The superintendent, all the principals from each school in Whoville, the head of School Staff payroll, and the head of the 4th grade department in all of the tri-who area sat down on the elevated chairs that faced the accused.
"Shall we begin?" The Superintendent asked.
Everyone was situated.
"Good. This meeting calls for the judgment of Susan Finkle, a teacher at Whoville Elementary School, who teaches 4th grade."
Ned could see the blue teacher sweat under the florescent lights.
"Susan, you have been accused of being an unfair teacher. How do you plead?" The superintendent asked, like a judge.
"Not guilty." Mrs. Finkle crossed her arms and stuck her nose up.
'Of course she does.' Ned thought.
"Uncross your arms, madam, this is a school board meeting and not a kindergarten time out."
Ned held back a snicker. She was going to get it...
Mrs. Finkle uncrossed her arms.
"From all the evidence of past experiences with parents, and I shall read them off momentarily, and the court judgement of 'McDodd vs. Finkle', it seems to me that you feel entitled to use your power as a teacher to an absurd level." The superintendent said.
Ned could see Mrs. Finkle getting red.
"Let's read off the complaints we have so far." The superintendent said.
One by one, all of the most important people in education read off the summery of each complaint.
"Failing to grade a whole semester of papers and then making the class redo their projects."
"Calling the mother of a mentally unstable child a derogatory term."
"Destroyed projects for the sake of missing a few vocabulary words."
"Ripped up a paper for no reason."
"Destroying a test midway when student was suspected of cheating, then refusing to slow child to retake the test."
"Calling out student's personal problems in crowded hallway."
"Getting into a physical altercation with a parent over a math grade."
"Unnecessary detentions for minor offenses."
"Gave detention to a student who corrected her in class."
"Deliberately did not send important information over email about students grades."
"Threw a child's lunchbox in trash."
"Raised voice at a student who coughed in class."
"Locked student in closet for disrupting lesson."
"Failed students with decent grade point averages."
"Gave her opinion about parenting to parents, despite not having children of her own."
"Left a physical mark on student's hand with a ruler."
"Misplaced students diorama projects."
"Disrepested custodians by leaving classroom a mess and then commented 'It's your job!' when confronted."
"Refused to return confiscated items to students at the end of the year."
"Made derogatory comments about the Mayor and his family on multiple occasions."
That last one made Mrs. Finkle turn and glare at the Mayor, who just sat there and smiled.
"Mrs. Finkle, you have a long enough record to have you, not only lose your position as a teacher, but also sent to prison."
Mrs. Finkle looked scared.
Ned raised his hand.
The superintendent noticed. "Yes, Mister Mayor? You have something to say?"
Ned stood up as the light shined upon him.
"I have been personally attacked verbally by Mrs. Finkle, and she traumatized my poor children, but I believe in giving people a second chance. I suggest that after a short time in prison, she work community service for a year to make up for all she has done?" Ned suggested.
Everyone at the meeting turned towards each other and spoke in agreement.
"A lovely suggestion, Mr. Mayor. All in favor of Community Service after 30 days behind bars, say aye."
"Aye!" The whole room said.
"No!" Mrs. Finkle argued. "I'd rather spend my whole life behind bars than do anything an entitled mayor says!"
The whole room gasped.
"Susan Finkle, you have no say in the matter! Your position has been taken away, since you have failed to oblige by the contract you signed when you first started teaching, which states that you are responsible for any complaints you receive and that you are required to do your job. As soon as this meeting is over, Officer Lewis Who Campbell will escort you to the tri-who prison, where you will spend 30 days behind bars and Upon your release, you must complete 365 days worth of community service given to you by your parole officer, which will be assigned to you upon your release."
Mrs. Finkle felt defeated. "But, I-!"
She was interrupted.
"It has been decided. No power in the tri-who area can change it! Meeting adjourned!"
And it was over.
Ned left the meeting and decided to bring home a bottle of wine to celebrate his victory with his wife.