Declo Teacher Cleared of Wrongdoing

DECLO, Idaho (AP) — A southern Idaho teacher who allowed her fourth-grade students to use markers to draw on the faces of six classmates who failed to meet their reading goals will be returning to the Declo school for the 2013-14 school year.

Cassia County school board member Steve Lynch tells The Times-News that Summer Larsen's contract was renewed based on teacher evaluations performed by principal Rebecca Hunsaker, who recently retired.

The Cassia County School District filed a complaint against Larsen with the Department of Education's Professional Standards Commission in November. DOE spokeswoman Melissa McGrath says there is no formal discipline in Larsen's file.

An investigation found nine students who didn't meet their reading goals were allowed to choose between staying in during recess or having their faces marked. Three chose to forgo recess.