High on everyone’s list of good things to do is looking out for the interests of children. And nobody pays more passionate homage to this universal value than school leaders.

At least when they’re asking patrons for bond and levy support or the Legislature for bigger appropriations.

But money isn’t everything. Other concerns are important, too, like protecting kids from threats and inappropriate influences and, if bad things do happen, taking strong action to prevent recurrences.

The Spokane Public School system reacted half-heartedly this year when a North Central High School teacher was discovered to have viewed pornography on his school computer.

The situation involving veteran teacher Matthew Wakabayashi is less serious than, but reminiscent of, that two years earlier involving Ferris High School teacher Sayeed X.

X had engaged in sexual misconduct with students and eventually was sentenced to jail. Wakabayshi is not charged with a crime and appears merely to have brought inappropriate materials into the workplace.

The biggest similarity is that both teachers were paid through the end of the year despite their misconduct. Wakabayashi resigned from his $53,000-a-year position in October, but it didn’t come to light until last week.

School officials say personnel contracts and state laws tie their hands. And stronger disciplinary action is costly to defend against legal appeals. It is more pragmatic to reach agreements, pay the salaries and get a questionable teacher away from children.

Agreed, removing problem teachers from the classroom is the most pressing need. Also agreed, employees’ rights need protection against unfair charges.

But it’s also true that when unconscionable acts occur, school administrators need to send offenders – and potential offenders – an unmistakable message of disapproval. Zero tolerance, it’s usually called.

To their credit, Spokane school officials removed both X and Wakabayashi from the classroom quickly. But then, thanks to their own improper actions, the two teachers continued to collect pay without having to work for it.

Certain acts should call for dismissal on the spot, with no concessions – bringing pornography, weapons or drugs into the school, for example, or engaging in sex with students.

If the law stands in the way of taking firm action in such cases, school organizations that accept the role of protecting our students should apply some of their lobbying energy to the Legislature with the same energy they use to go after funding.