By Alyssa Kleven
MyNorthwest.com

After major public scrutiny of a Morton teacher allowed back in the classroom after being jailed and fired for inappropriately touching female students, Michael Moulton's teaching license has been suspended for three years.

"Because of the intense public interest in this matter, I wanted to make my decision known as soon as possible," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn.

Dorn says that he chose to suspend Moulton's license instead of revoke it because the suspension guarantees that Moulton will not be allowed in the classroom for three years, while a revocation means that Moulton can re-apply for a license in one year's time.

State law states that Moulton will have 30 days to appeal the suspension order. If he chooses not to appeal, Dorn's order becomes final and the suspension will begin at that time.

"The evidence clearly shows that Mr. Moulton violated our code of professional conduct," said Dorn.

Moulton hasn't been in school since classes started for the year on Monday. Parents have demonstrated outside of school and were planning a protest outside Dorn's office in Olympia on Thursday because they wanted the history teacher out of the classroom permanently.

The state opened a file on Moulton in January 2009 after the superintendent of the 285-student Morton School District contacted the professional practices department in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The school district had previously suspended Moulton without pay for 12 days for the 2008 incidents.

When the district tried to fire him for the same offenses, Moulton appealed that decision and the hearing officer who heard his appeal ruled the school district had already punished him.

Morton Superintendent Tom Manke said Wednesday he would not make a statement until a final order is issued on Moulton's suspension.

Rhiannon Foister, a mother who participated in the protests against Moulton, said she was grateful the action was being taken.

Foister said she was glad the parents in this tiny school district banded together to fight for their children.

"I want all of my children to know when something is not right you need to stand up for yourself," said Foister, who has two children in the middle school. "I don't want my children to be intimidated by anything or anyone."

After moving away from her hometown of Morton years earlier, Rhiannon said she moved back in 2002.

"I moved back to Morton for my children to grow up in a small town, because these are the things you hope don't happen," she said.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

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