Face-marking incident looked into

DECLO, Idaho – A southern Idaho teacher whose students used a permanent marker on the faces of classmates who fell short of reading goals is the subject of a formal complaint.

Cassia County School District officials said Monday that they filed the complaint against Declo Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Summer Larsen. The Idaho State Department of Education’s Professional Standards Commission, which has the power to suspend or revoke teaching licenses, will examine the case, the Twin Falls Times-News reported.

Some parents and administrators said the face-marking punishments given to six students in Larsen’s class were inappropriate and left the children feeling shamed.

The students were allowed to choose their own incentive to meet the reading goal. But instead of a reward, the class chose a punishment: Students who failed to meet the goal could either stay inside at recess until it was met, or have their faces written on by classmates who met the goals.

Nine students didn’t meet the goals, the paper reported Friday. Three chose to forgo recess, and the other six opted to have their faces marked on.

“The investigation on this is also ongoing in the district,” said Cassia County School District Superintendent Galen Smyer, declining to give specifics on the complaint other than to say it’s a “personnel issue.”

He said Larsen remains employed with the district, but he wouldn’t confirm whether she was placed on administrative leave.