Controversial teacher is returning to the classroom
Kissner gave students failing quiz grades for participating in a national anti-gun walkout
The Los Gatos teacher at the center of a walkout controversy will return to the classroom today after a seven-day leave of absence, school officials said Wednesday.
In an email to parents, Loma Prieta Joint Union School District Superintendent Corey Kidwell said that a part of the investigation that resulted in teacher David Kissner’s leave of absence is “now complete.”
Her statement did not address the reason for Kissner’s leave of absence, citing confidentiality.
Kissner teaches math and science at C.T. English Middle School in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where he has both supporters and detractors.
The Kissner controversy began in March, when he told students he was giving a quiz on the same day and at the same time as the March 14 National School Walkout against gun violence. A parent who asked to remain anonymous said three students who walked out during the quiz received an F grade, not just one student as previously reported.
Kissner supporters said they fear retaliation from the anti-Kissner camp; at least one said the current school environment is “hostile.”
“There have been multiple derogatory and hurtful comments made to both my students relating to these issues,” parent Leah Rogers said.
Both sides agree on one thing: The controversy has
impacted students.
The community divide was echoed by eighthgrader Fintan Stevens,
who said last week that he and his friends “have begun to argue over this and it’s breaking up friendships.”
The school district has not publicly commented on the issue and Kissner has not responded to requests for comment. But in March, Kissner held a news conference in which he alleged that school officials “bent over backwards” to encourage student participation in the walkout even though the superintendent claimed the district would remain neutral on the issue.
Shortly thereafter, a compromise was reached between Kissner and the school district that students who participated in an April 20 walkout would be marked as unexcused and sent to Saturday makeup school.
In announcing Kissner’s return to the classroom, Kidwell called the teacher a “valued” staff member. “I am proud of my relationship with Mr. Kissner over time and through this period despite what others may think,” Kidwell wrote.