Commie teacher sues over
getting pinko slip

By ANGELA MOSCONI

An ousted Brooklyn teacher filed a $1 million suit against the Board of Education yesterday for firing her after she invited students on a communist-sponsored trip.

Mary Lonergan, who taught social studies for three years at Prospect Heights HS, says her city teaching license was yanked because she's a commie.

"They're attacking my politics because my march was endorsed by communists instead of the Nation of Islam," said Lonergan, a Flatbush resident, who invited students and area residents to take part in the annual May Day rally in Washington, D.C., earlier this year.

Lonergan, 45, handed out fliers and sold $10 tickets to approximately 70 students during lunch breaks and after school for the May 4 bus trip, which was sponsored by the Communist Progressive Labor Party Flatbush Youth Club.

Days after the rally, Lonergan was called into a hearing with principal Jerry Cioffi, who said an angry parent had accused Lonergan of "promoting communism.@

AIt's supposed to be a democracy,"said Lonergan, who was fired June 30. "You're supposed to do whatever you like on a Saturday with your parent's permission.=

AThey say that communism is dead-but they're awfully afraid of one communist.@

Throughout the hallways at Prospect Heights, dozens of students are sticking behind their favorite history teacher, wearing "Bring Back Ms. Lonergan" buttons.

AI hope she comes back," said student Ebony Montes, 16, who went on the trip with about a dozen family members.

Montes' mom, Rosina Murchison, said she was happy her children wanted to go on the trip.

AThe trip had nothing to do with the school," Murchison said. "The school should be worrying about violence and drugs in school. I just hope she comes back.@

Lonergan's lawyer, Bruce Feffer, said the Board of Education violated his client's constitutional right of free speech. He said Lonergan wants her job back.

NEW YORK POST (METRO EDITION)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1996