Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Fired Everett teacher 'delighted' with deal

Kay Powers reached a settlement with the Everett School District that will let her teach.

By Eric Stevick
Herald Writer

 EVERETT -- Kay Powers was supposed to be going to a rally of her supporters Friday, but it became a congratulation party instead.

The fired Cascade High School English and journalism teacher informed her friends, colleagues and former students that she had reached a settlement with the Everett School District earlier in the afternoon to return to the classroom.

Otherwise, Powers and her lawyers from the Everett Education Association would have squared off against the district at a three-day hearing that was supposed to begin today.

"I am delighted with the settlement," she said Monday. "To be fired and reinstated is a big deal."

Under the agreement, the 65-year-old Powers will resign effective Aug. 31, 2009, and will not teach journalism.

Powers said the agreement had everything she wanted. She will teach English at Henry M. Jackson High School beginning next week.

Powers also wanted to return to the Everett district where she has worked for 22 years.

School district officials said the settlement provides 10 days for her return. With state WASL testing going on this week, Powers is expected back at school April 25, said Mary Waggoner, a school district spokeswoman.

"I would like to put journalism aside for a while," Powers said, adding "I know it's time for younger people to take over."

It was an issue over a student newspaper that got Powers in trouble with the district.

She was accused of helping students produce an underground paper, The Free Ste­hekin, during school hours and on school computers despite being warned not to do so. She was placed on administrative leave in June and fired in November.

In the firing letter, Superintendent Carol Whitehead outlined several reasons for Powers' dismissal, saying the teacher violated district policies and Whitehead's directives.

After firing Powers, the school district filed a report with the state's Office of Professional Practices, which could have led to the revocation of her teaching credentials. District officials said they were following legal requirements in filing the report.

As part of the deal reached Friday, the district agreed to notify the state agency that the matter has been resolved. Attempts to reach the Office of Professional Practices for comment about what happens next were not returned Monday.

Powers also will receive back pay.

Journalism teachers from across the state were monitoring Powers' situation, said Vince DeMiero, an English, journalism and photography teacher at Mountlake Terrace High School.

The case had "some young journalism teachers thinking, 'Is this what I want to get into?' " he said. "I would qualify it more as a sigh of relief than something you would feel emboldened about. At least this is a step in the right direction."

Powers said she appreciated the help from her union, lawyers and co-workers to get her job back. Many wore buttons and T-shirts and were prepared to use personal leave days to attend the hearing.

Powers said she doesn't know if she will try to teach after next year.

"It's hard to say," she said. "At the age of 67, I might be raring to go again."



Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA