Middle school teacher placed on paid leave

A Bowdish Middle School teacher is on paid administrative leave as district officials investigative allegations of misconduct.

Anthony Cucinotti, a sixth-grade language arts and history teacher, was placed on leave Thursday, Melanie Rose, a spokeswoman for the Central Valley School District, confirmed Friday.

“The details of that investigation are not being released,” Rose said.

Cucinotti has not been arrested and the police have not been contacted, she said.

Reached by phone Friday afternoon, Cucinotti said he couldn’t comment. Principal Dave Bouge sent a letter to parents and spoke with students today.

“He got these students together and talked with them about why rumors are not a good idea, and please focus on learning because that’s what we’re here to do,” Rose said.

Cucinotti was issued a letter of reprimand following an investigation for “disregard/abandonment of standards” between January 2008 and February, records show, but details were not available.

Meghann M. Cuniff

spokane

Legislators to meet with public today

State lawmakers, who are struggling to solve an $8 billion budget shortfall, will hold town hall-style meetings today in Spokane.

“In Olympia, there are a thousand issues to deal with, when really there are only a handful that really matter to people back home,” said Rep. John Driscoll, D-Spokane. Lawmakers said they’re eager to talk about the budget, transportation, schools and other topics.

The meetings are scheduled for:

•9 a.m. at Spokane Falls Community College, rooms 133 and 134 of the Student Union Building, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive. Rep. Driscoll and Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, will be present.

•1 p.m. at the Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St. The second meeting will include Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and Reps. Timm Ormbsy and Alex Wood, all D-Spokane.

Richard Roesler

Student sues SFCC over display

A student who says she was barred from setting up an anti-abortion display is suing Spokane Falls Community College.

Beth Sheeran says in the federal lawsuit filed at U.S. District Court in Spokane this week that college officials violated her free speech rights and her right to equal protection and due process. The display was intended to be part of the Spokane Falls Christian Fellowship’s observance of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling’s anniversary in January.

In her lawsuit, Sheeran contends college officials told the group that its “pro-life display was ‘offensive’ and ‘discriminatory.’ ” The college required that the display present opposing views and warned students they would face expulsion if they ignored the prohibition.

Sheeran argues, among other things, that the school has let others stage campus events without requiring opposing viewpoints, including a recent lecture on sexual techniques, activity and attitudes.

College officials had no comment on the case.

From KHQ News