GALLUP, N.M. – A former Miyamura High School teacher fired last year following allegations involving classroom discipline and student conduct has been ordered reinstated after an arbitrator determined Gallup-McKinley County Schools did not have just cause to terminate him.
The American Federation of Teachers New Mexico announced Aug. 17 that Sawyer Masonjones is to be reinstated with back pay, seniority and fees following more than a year of challenging his dismissal.
Masonjones, who was also president of the McKinley County Federation of United School Employees, had disputed the district’s allegations and maintained that his termination was connected to his union activity.
AFT New Mexico President Whitney Holland said the union believed GMCS improperly discharged Masonjones without providing due process, corrective measures or an opportunity for professional development.
Holland also pointed to Masonjones’ previous teaching evaluations and lack of disciplinary history, saying the union agreed with the arbitrator’s conclusion that dismissal was “disproportionate.”
In response to questions from the Cibola Citizen about whether the ruling cleared Masonjones of the allegations against him, AFT New Mexico said the arbitration process addressed both his termination and the claims made by former GMCS Superintendent Mike Hyatt.
“The arbitrator who heard that case and reviewed the evidence ruled that he was terminated without just cause and ordered the district to reinstate him and pay back pay,” the union said.
The exact findings concerning each of the allegations against Masonjones were not provided in AFT New Mexico’s announcement or response to the Citizen. The arbitration ruling itself was not included with the information released Monday.
Masonjones was fired after a district investigation that included allegations that he was too permissive with students, allowed vaping or THC use in his classroom, and engaged in inappropriate interactions with students. District officials also criticized his classroom management and job performance.
At the time, Masonjones acknowledged he could have done more to maintain classroom discipline but denied several of the more serious allegations. He specifically denied allowing students to vape, having inappropriate interactions with students or neglecting his duties supporting dual-credit classes.
The allegations were also referred to law enforcement and the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. According to reporting included in the case background, Gallup Police said its findings had been forwarded to CYFD and, at that time, no criminal charges had been filed.
Masonjones has consistently argued that the district began investigating him immediately after he became president of the local union. He said he previously had favorable evaluations and no letters of reprimand and accused the district of failing to follow progressive discipline and corrective-action procedures.
In Monday’s statement, Masonjones again linked his termination to his union position.
“I believe my investigation and termination were directly tied to becoming the local union President,” Masonjones said. He said he hoped the ruling would allow GMCS, its educators and the union to work together going forward.
Masonjones said the experience had raised concerns that he might never be able to teach again and said he is looking forward to returning to the classroom.
“This has been a harrowing experience that I wish on no one,” he said. “I'm looking forward to this being all behind me and to get back to the classroom where I can best serve my students and community.”
The Cibola Citizen contacted Gallup-McKinley County Schools seeking the district’s response to the arbitration ruling and additional information about how the district intends to proceed.
As of publication, the district had not provided a statement.
Masonjones to receive back pay after arbitrator finds termination was without just cause