An arbitrator has ruled that the Limestone County Board of Education was within its rights when it fired a school teacher accused of showing students an Internet video critical of President Bush that contained some sexual images.
Arbitrator Joe Battle wrote in his ruling that while teacher Steve White’s actions were not immoral, they were insubordinate because he didn’t comply with the district’s policy for computer use, the Athens News-Courier reported.
The video, which referred to Bush in vulgar terms, also featured nudity and a video clip of a cartoon showing a woman on a beach in a bathing suit that revealed her body parts, Battle wrote.
He said White understood that what he was doing was wrong since a number of students reported that he admonished them not to tell their parents of the video because he would get into trouble.
Stan Davis, Limestone High’s principal, began an investigation after parents complained in April that White had shown students Internet clips that included a cartoon of Bill Clinton having sex.
During the two-week-long investigation, pornographic material was found in White’s computer and administrators later determined that White was showing videos instead of teaching science in his class.
White was placed on paid administrative leave on April 7 and was fired on May 16.
