Science teacher maintains paid leave
Past incidences continue to affect teacher
MOSES LAKE — Suspended Moses Lake High School science teacher Sam Lyman will stay on paid administrative leave for the remainder of the school year.
The paid administrative leave is required due to Lyman's teaching contract with the school, Superintendent Steve Chestnut said. Lyman's contract will not be renewed.
Lyman's request for the terms of his departure in writing was fulfilled recently.
Chestnut forwarded information on past incidents involving Lyman to the Office of Professional Practice. The incidents reported span from Lyman's inappropriate remark about Brigham Young University to the incident when Lyman entered the high school causing a disturbance resulting in four school officials carrying him out of the building.
Lyman said he worries he will lose his teaching license.
Professional practice will review the incidents reported and decide what action to take.
"I'm sad because I will probably never get another teaching job again," Lyman said.
The repercussions of his past actions continue to affect his future, he said.
He plans to go to Washington State University to finish his Ph.D. As part of the program he hoped to help teach classes. Due to the coverage of the incidents and his actions, he is not allowed to teach there, he said.
"Now I'm too much of a hot potato," Lyman said. "I was taken out of the running for an assistance-ship."
He hoped to participate because the program pays for tuition.
He fears he will be charged for criminal trespass and disorderly conduct as a result of the incident related to causing a disturbance at the high school in March. If charged he cannot teach in some states and it could affect any other career he enters, he said.
"I wanted to wrap things up," he said. "I've been walking around in Moses Lake in fear (of being arrested). I just can't wait to put this whole thing behind me."
There is a temporary protection order against Lyman prohibiting him from coming within 300 feet of the high school.