Parent alleges inappropriate conduct by Great Falls High teacher during public comment

A Great Falls Public Schools parent told the board on April 13 that she has reported multiple incidents of inappropriate behavior by a Great Falls High teacher but that she believes the district has not adequately addressed the concerns.

"Is it acceptable for a teacher to force a high school student to hold their hand in the hallway as a punishment? Is it acceptable for that teacher to lick that student's hand? Or to call the student a '______'?" parent Beth Simpson asked the trustees during the public-comment period. Simpson said the incidents and a follow-up parent letter reached administration and that, in response, the student involved was characterized by administrators as aggressive and was removed from an elective class one month before graduation.

The board did not take immediate disciplinary action during the meeting. Chair Gordon Johnson thanked Simpson for bringing the matter forward and excused the student representatives before the discussion of reports, policies and action items. Several trustees later expressed appreciation that parents had come forward. "I appreciate the parent coming out and talking," Trustee Paige Henning said.

The parent asked the board to address what she described as mocking and belittling behavior and said the pattern of responses felt like retaliation rather than corrective action. The district did not offer specifics about any personnel investigation during the public meeting.

The board's public record from the meeting contains Simpson's oral statement and the district indicated the administration would follow usual procedures for complaints and personnel concerns. The board did not announce any formal inquiry, timeline, or outcome at the April 13 meeting.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for April 27, when trustees will consider second readings of several policies and other agenda items.