OLYMPIA, Wash. - State school superintendent Randy Dorn will suspend the teaching license of Michael Moulton, a Morton School District history teacher who was fired for inappropriately touching girls, but won his job back on appeal.
The 56-year-old was convicted in 2008 and served 16 days in the Lewis County Jail. He has called in sick for the first three days of classes. Parents have demonstrated outside of school and had planned a protest in Olympia because they want Moulton out of the classroom permanently.
Dorn's office announced Wednesday that Moulton will have his license suspended for three years.
"The evidence clearly shows that Mr. Moulton violated our code of professional conduct. Because of the intense public interest in this matter, I wanted to make my decision known as soon as possible," said Dorn.
The suspension means Moulton will be kept out of the classroom for three years. If the license was revoked, he could apply for a new certificate in one year.
"That’s wonderful," said Pat Ettenhofer, the father of one of Moulton's accusers. "That will protect our children from him for at least 3 more years."
Moulton has 30 days to appeal the suspension or it becomes final.
"I'm finally excited to hear those words that he's not going to be here," says 17-year-old Alicia Ettenhofer, who had accused Moulton of inappropriate contact. "I didn't want to to be in the same building as him, in the same town. Every time I drive by him I get sick to the stomach."
Morton Superintendent Tom Manke was not sure if Moulton had planned to be out of school for an extended period of time. Manke says it's frustrating Moulton was missing the first week of school, traditionally when the foundation for a class is established.
"Anything of this nature is a little frustrating and disappointing," said Manke.
Moulton declined comment when contacted Wednesday night at his Morton home.
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