State steps in as anger surrounding convicted teacher rises
MORTON, Wash. -- A controversial teacher was a no-show again Tuesday at Morton Junior High School as parents continue to pull their children out his classroom.
Mick Moulton, who has been convicted on charges of inappropriate touching of students, called in sick on Tuesday for a second straight day.
Had he shown up, he would have found only three to eight students in any of his classes with parents continuing to yank their kids out.
Angry parents picketed when school began this week in Morton. Motorcyclists accompanied some kids to school.
Though some insist this is a witch hunt against a good teacher, so many kids have been pulled out of Moulton's classes that he would have a total of 22 students in all six of his class periods.
Now the state is stepping in to determine whether he should be teaching.
"A process is lined up and it's under investigation is basically what I can say. My own personal views - I can't give you, because I'm the superintendent of public instruction," said Washington School Superintendent Randy Dorn.
Dorn expects recommendations from an investigator within two weeks, but the next meeting of a state hearings board isn't until November. And that's not good news for Morton.
"It's a real black cloud over our district right now, and it needs to be resolved. And it's going to go on for a long time if not resolved," said Morton School District Superintendent Tom Manke.
The biggest problem may be education.M oulton has called in sick for two days. And the kids who aren't going to his classes have signed up for the Internet equivalent.
The school is running out of space in a computer room, which one employee called a zoo.
"Somebody said that. I didn't say it, but somebody said it," said Manke. "It's very concerning that isn't the way we want to educate students here at Morton School District."
The state says the process can't be hurried. The school district is talking with attorneys. So Moulton's future is unclear.
The state says the district could place Moulton on paid administrative leave. The question for the district: is that possible?After all, a judge ordered Moulton reinstated.
Moulton could not be reached for comment.
Mick Moulton, who has been convicted on charges of inappropriate touching of students, called in sick on Tuesday for a second straight day.
Had he shown up, he would have found only three to eight students in any of his classes with parents continuing to yank their kids out.
Angry parents picketed when school began this week in Morton. Motorcyclists accompanied some kids to school.
Though some insist this is a witch hunt against a good teacher, so many kids have been pulled out of Moulton's classes that he would have a total of 22 students in all six of his class periods.
Now the state is stepping in to determine whether he should be teaching.
"A process is lined up and it's under investigation is basically what I can say. My own personal views - I can't give you, because I'm the superintendent of public instruction," said Washington School Superintendent Randy Dorn.
Dorn expects recommendations from an investigator within two weeks, but the next meeting of a state hearings board isn't until November. And that's not good news for Morton.
"It's a real black cloud over our district right now, and it needs to be resolved. And it's going to go on for a long time if not resolved," said Morton School District Superintendent Tom Manke.
The biggest problem may be education.M oulton has called in sick for two days. And the kids who aren't going to his classes have signed up for the Internet equivalent.
The school is running out of space in a computer room, which one employee called a zoo.
"Somebody said that. I didn't say it, but somebody said it," said Manke. "It's very concerning that isn't the way we want to educate students here at Morton School District."
The state says the process can't be hurried. The school district is talking with attorneys. So Moulton's future is unclear.
The state says the district could place Moulton on paid administrative leave. The question for the district: is that possible?After all, a judge ordered Moulton reinstated.
Moulton could not be reached for comment.