In brief: Suspended teacher to get new hearing
A former Spokane Valley private school teacher and coach accused of mistreating students has again appealed a state decision to suspend his teaching license.
State education officials proposed suspending the license of Steve Altmeyer for 30 months after a lengthy investigation into allegations he physically and verbally abused students at Valley Christian School.
Altmeyer, 52, appealed the findings and asked an informal professional conduct committee at the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia to clear him of any wrongdoing.
The committee declined and issued a final order in June to suspend his license. Altmeyer appealed the committee’s decision, and his case will now be heard before an administrative law judge in Spokane, beginning Feb. 11.
During the two-week hearing, those witnesses interviewed in the state’s investigation will likely be called to testify, state officials said.
Although Altmeyer is a private-school teacher, he is a certified educator and subject to the state’s code of professional conduct.
– Sara Leaming
Public has final chance to comment on zoning
The final public hearing on Spokane Valley’s controversial new development code takes place next week, following the City Council’s preliminary approval of the new zoning map Wednesday.
Most neighborhoods on the proposed map are zoned for lots that are a minimum of 7,500 square feet. The 10,000-square-foot lots many had argued for at earlier public hearings would be the standard in some areas south of 16th Avenue.
Last week the Planning Commission suggested part of Greenacres and more of the Valley south of Sprague should retain the larger lots. In Greenacres, some planning commissioners noted, neighbors had organized and paid for a rezone for less dense housing in the neighborhood.
At a special meeting Wednesday, the council decided to place the zoning for 7,500-square-foot minimum lots on most parcels in Greenacres not fronting the Spokane River.
A first reading and public hearing on the entire development code will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave.
The code is available online at www.spokanevalley.org. A PDF of the proposed zoning map is attached to this brief at spokesmanreview.com.
– Peter Barnes
Spokane
Police to hold test for potential reserves
In its continuing search for reserve officers, the Spokane Police Department will be holding a fitness ability test on Sept. 22.
The test includes a 300-meter run, push-ups, sit-ups and a 1 1/2-mile run or walk, according to a Police Department test packet available online. Points are awarded based on abilities within a certain test time frame.
Reserve police officer is a part-time volunteer position with the department.
The test starts at 9 a.m. at the department’s training center, 2301 N. Waterworks St. A test packet and directions is available at www.spokanepolice.org.
For more information, call Sgt. Chuck Reisenauer at (509) 363-8281.
– Nick Eaton