School Board Terminates Teacher Aide

FARMINGTON — Following an executive session last week, Farmington School Board unanimously voted to terminate the employment contract for a special education teacher’s aide at Farmington High Career Academies.

Skye Peterson, 34, of Farmington, was placed on suspended leave with pay in September after the 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force charged him with felony delivery of a controlled substance. This was Peterson’s first year to work for Farmington.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, the Task Force conducted an investigation for five months involving Peterson distributing marijuana in northwest Arkansas. The report said detectives used a confidential informant who was able to purchase a total of about 45 grams (1.58 ounces) of marijuana from Peterson on two separate occasions.

The informant was wearing a recording/listening device, the report indicated.

Jeff Oxford, Farmington School Board president, on Monday said, “Even though nothing legally has come out of it as far as the charges, we felt it was time for us to move forward.”

School Superintendent Bryan Law said he recommended the board terminate Peterson’s contract. The board’s decision was effective immediately.

“The only statement I would want to give,” Law said, “is that it was an unfortunate situation and at this point, the district will move on.”

The school is in the process of filling the vacancy and Law said he believes the district has found someone for that position.

A spokeswoman with Washington County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Monday said Peterson pleaded not guilty to the charge on Oct. 12 and is scheduled for trial Dec. 20.