Former Moses Lake teacher pled guilty

Placed on probation until March 2008

MOSES LAKE — Ex-Moses Lake High School teacher Sam Lyman pled guilty in Moses Lake District Court Monday to charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

The charges stem from a March incident where Lyman was accused of entering the Moses Lake High School cafeteria without permission and began shouting, claiming he was being treated inappropriately by school administration.

Lyman was placed on probation until March 19, 2008, according to the clerk's office. The judge declared the charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct will be dropped if he does not have any other criminal offenses during his probation.

The March date was chosen because it is approximately one year from the date of the criminal offense.

In March, Lyman began protesting. He was placed on paid administrative leave for the remainder of the school year after students complained of inappropriate comments made by Lyman. He claimed he did not get proper documentation on his administrative leave.

The comments leading to his administrative leave concerned references to Brigham Young University.

After a sidewalk protest, Lyman entered the high school and disrupted the students during a lunch break, yelling profanities.

He was carried out by four school officials and escorted off the property by Moses Lake police.

The high school did not extend Lyman's contract, effectively ending his employment.

Lyman declined to comment after the Monday court hearing.

The Office of Professional Practices within the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is investigating the incident to determine how it would affect Lyman's state teaching license.

Probation and criminal charges are taken into consideration.

Lyman is earning a doctorate in educational philosophy at Washington State University.