Teacher on leave pending investigation

Kati O’Hare and Katharhynn Heidelberg

Daily Press Writers

MONTROSE — An Olathe teacher who was in court last week will not be working at the school until an investigation is completed, school district officials said.

“(Jon) Dickerson was placed on administrative leave effective immediately pending further investigation,” Linda Gann, Montrose County School District Re-1J spokeswoman, said Wednesday.

Dickerson was before the court last Friday for a show-cause hearing initiated by his estranged wife’s allegations he’d violated the court’s orders on four occasions.

During court, County Judge John Mitchel found there was evidence only that he failed to provide a urine sample Aug. 24, 2006 and had tried to sabotage the test by the use of a hose placed in his pants.

Mitchel sentenced Dickerson to an additional day in jail. Dickerson was previously sentenced to 10 days as a condition of probation for his guilty pleas to disorderly conduct-display weapon and violation of a protection order.

This is the second time Dickerson has been put on paid administrative leave by the district since September 2006, when he pleaded guilty to violating a protection order, according to public court records and Gann. Gann said he returned to work after an investigation was completed.

According to the school district’s staff ethics, which are rules of conduct to ensure the highest possible performance standards, staff must conduct their private life so that no dishonor may befall their profession. Gann said if these ethics are violated then it is reason for “conversation.”

The rules also state that if the district has good cause to believe that any licensed staff member employed on or after Jan. 1, 1991, has been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor subsequent to employment the district shall make inquires to the Department of Education for purposes of screening the employee.

Currently the district’s human resources department is conducting an investigation. Gann said the length of the investigation depends on what the department finds and during that time a qualified substitute teacher will be taking over his classes.

“The investigation provides Dickerson and all parties involved due process,” Gann said.

Dickerson has worked for the district for 14 years at both the Montrose and Olathe high schools and as a database administrator.

Daily Press writer Katharhynn Heidelberg contributed to this story.

Contact Kati O’Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com