a local rage for your Tuesday morning...
MORTON, Wash. -- A Morton teacher who won his job back after a conviction for inappropriately touching girls called in sick Monday as some parents demonstrated outside on the first day of school.
A judge ruled Morton Junior/Senior High School teacher Michael Moulton is allowed to return to the classroom, even though he was convicted of 4th degree assault and fired from the school district.
Moulton served 20 days in jail for inappropriately touching female students in 2008. But a judge ruled he can get his job back because he served his time.
Some parents are furious.
"More upset and really sick to the feeling in my stomach," said Pat Ettenhofer. His daughter's history class is taught by Moulton.
"Somebody convicted of a crime like this could be let back in the classroom with these little girls... with a record of these things going on?" Ettenhofer wondered.
It's not the first time Moulton has been accused of inappropriate behavior. In 1997, some female students said he inappropriately touched them. Court documents show more complaints in 2005.
The state disciplined him and then more complaints came in 2008.
That year, Moulton was convicted of 4th degree assault and fired, but a judge ruled the school district couldn't do that.
Now, more than a dozen seventh graders say they won't attend Moulton's class.
"I don't want him touching me, or any of my friends or anybody else," one student said. "He shouldn't have the right to touch anybody."
Parents and students are preparing signs to protest and say they'll demonstrate outside the school, and wear buttons that read "Don't touch me" and "Hands off, creep."
"I want the superintendent of public schools to know that's what I expect them to do to do to protect my child," said parent Jennifer Mau. "And having him in that school is not protecting my child."
The Morton School District says any student who opts out of the Mr. Moulton's history class will be enrolled in an internet alternative. The superintendent says 23 parents have pulled their kids out.
"I don't know what's going to happen," said Tom Manke, the Morton School Superintendent. "The class could be very small or there could be no kids there."
In the meantime, Multon told me he will be showing up for the first day of class.
Source: komonews.com
A judge ruled Morton Junior/Senior High School teacher Michael Moulton is allowed to return to the classroom, even though he was convicted of 4th degree assault and fired from the school district.
Moulton served 20 days in jail for inappropriately touching female students in 2008. But a judge ruled he can get his job back because he served his time.
Some parents are furious.
"More upset and really sick to the feeling in my stomach," said Pat Ettenhofer. His daughter's history class is taught by Moulton.
"Somebody convicted of a crime like this could be let back in the classroom with these little girls... with a record of these things going on?" Ettenhofer wondered.
It's not the first time Moulton has been accused of inappropriate behavior. In 1997, some female students said he inappropriately touched them. Court documents show more complaints in 2005.
The state disciplined him and then more complaints came in 2008.
That year, Moulton was convicted of 4th degree assault and fired, but a judge ruled the school district couldn't do that.
Now, more than a dozen seventh graders say they won't attend Moulton's class.
"I don't want him touching me, or any of my friends or anybody else," one student said. "He shouldn't have the right to touch anybody."
Parents and students are preparing signs to protest and say they'll demonstrate outside the school, and wear buttons that read "Don't touch me" and "Hands off, creep."
"I want the superintendent of public schools to know that's what I expect them to do to do to protect my child," said parent Jennifer Mau. "And having him in that school is not protecting my child."
The Morton School District says any student who opts out of the Mr. Moulton's history class will be enrolled in an internet alternative. The superintendent says 23 parents have pulled their kids out.
"I don't know what's going to happen," said Tom Manke, the Morton School Superintendent. "The class could be very small or there could be no kids there."
In the meantime, Multon told me he will be showing up for the first day of class.
Source: komonews.com