'Killer essay' teacher punished

2006-05-16 12:46

St Joseph - A high school teacher who asked students to write about who they would kill and how they would carry out the crime has been suspended for a week without pay and placed on six months' probation.

Michael Maxwell, who taught industrial technology at Central High School, was notified of the suspension on Monday. Superintendent Melody Smith said no further action would be taken.

She said: "I'm just very sad for the school, and I'm sad for him. This has rocked his world, as it has rocked our world."

Students in Maxwell's beginning drafting class were asked to complete the ungraded assignment during roll call last month.

District spokesperson Steve Huff said it was not clear why Maxwell asked the drafting class to write fiction.

Tina Bonnett, whose daughter was in the class, said: "In this day and age with all the school shootings, how can a teacher encourage students to make a death list?"

Maxwell apologised on Sunday. Maxwell said: "I made a horrible mistake that I regret. I want to apologise to my students, my colleagues and to the community."

School officials learnt about the assignment on May 5 after a parent filed a complaint.

- AP