University High School Teacher Dismissed

Friday, January 30, 2009

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Itica Milanes
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Fresno, CA, USA (KFSN) -- The University High School music teacher at the center of an investigation into an illegal relationship with a student is no longer a school employee.

32-year old Jonathan Malcolm was dismissed by the charter school's board of directors, at an emergency meeting this evening.

The principal at university high school says employees are at-will employees and when something happens it's documented.

Friday evening-- the school's board of directors voted unanimously to fire a popular teacher.

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The closed-door emergency meeting of university high school's board of directors lasted an hour and a half. At issue, the employment status of a teacher. Principal James Bushman said because it's a personnel issue, he couldn't confirm that the person the board fired is Jonathan Malcolm.

Dr. James bushman the University High School principal said, "I can tell you that on Monday morning Mr. Malcolm will no longer be an employee of university high school."

Fresno State Police arrested Malcolm on allegations that he annoyed or molested a student and distributed lewd material to a student.

Eight teachers and seven students waited in the auditorium to hear the fate of their colleague and for these kids, their beloved teacher. Some wept silently as they took in the information.

Zach Kissinger a student said, "Very hard to believe that something so drastic can happen just knowing the type of person he is it's hard to believe something like this can happen.

Zach Kissinger added that it's been hard to reconcile the allegations against the popular band and orchestra conductor and the man he said he's come to know and admire.

Principal Dr. James Bushman said the final decision was difficult. "It's like any family skirmish that you have, there's nothing good about this and nothing easy about it.

Extra counselors were on campus Friday. Administrators said students and faculty met with them to talk about what's happened.

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