STHS teacher disciplined, returns to classroom

By Kathryn Reed

South Tahoe High School math instructor Paul Kushner returned to the classroom Thursday after being off for five days while the district investigated what websites he had been looking at while at school and on the district’s computer.

“Appropriate disciplinary action was taken,” Jim Tarwater, Lake Tahoe Unified School district superintendent, told Lake Tahoe News. Because it is a personnel issue Tarwater could not divulge what the discipline was or why Kushner was disciplined.

Paul Kushner

A student earlier this month reported to high school officials that Kushner was looking at inappropriate, non-educational websites.

A filter on district computers prevents anyone from accessing pornographic websites. Even Facebook cannot be accessed from district computers. However, that still leaves plenty of websites that have half-naked women.

Lake Tahoe News was sent a video of Kushner perusing questionable websites of women in bras. A video expert told LTN it would take a seasoned professional to have altered the video. This person’s opinion is the video was authentic. Earlier a photo had been sent to LTN that was believed to have been altered.

School district personnel must sign a document that acknowledges they understand what is an appropriate use of school equipment and what is not.

Tarwater said violation of the user’s guide could result in termination. Kushner’s actions did not warrant such action.