A former teacher at Sonoji Sakai Intermediate School has had his teaching license suspended for using a school district computer to look at sexually explicit content on the Internet.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction suspended the Washington Education Certificate for Matthew Pedersen on April 30. The suspension runs for four months.
The Bainbridge Island School District notified parents of the suspension via an email Friday, June 8.
According to the email, the school district’s filtering system “detected inappropriate Internet activity” by a staff member and the employee was immediately put on administrative leave.
Police and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction were then notified, the email said, and an investigation was launched. The employee then resigned.
District officials said there was no evidence that the improper conduct involved students or staff.
The school district sent its investigative report to the Office of Professional Practices at OSPI, and the office concluded its investigation and suspended the teacher’s license April 30.
“Please note that the district typically does not comment on a personnel matter that is under investigation,” the email to parents said. “However, staff and parents would be notified before an investigation is complete if the safety or well-being of students or staff could be compromised.”
Pedersen received his teaching license in August 2003.
According to the suspense order, which was also signed and approved by Pedersen, the school district sent a complaint letter to the state on March 8, 2011 “alleging a lack of good moral character or personal fitness, or a violation of the Code of Professional Conduct” by Pedersen.
Documents indicate Pedersen used a school district computer to access sexually explicit material online during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school year.
He was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 13, 2011.
He signed a settlement agreement with the school district on Feb. 23, and resigned his position effective Aug. 31, 2011.
