By Patric Hedlund

El Tejon Unified School District Superintendent Shelly Mason had no words to mince when she was asked on Friday, Sept. 5 if David Allan Deshler, 44 is going to return to teach science at Frazier Mountain High School. Mason uttered a single, emphatic “No!” and quickly entered her car and departed.

There is no indication at this time whether the small school district, which had to release five teachers last year because of budget problems, will need to continue paying Deshler’s salary. He was hired on August 15, began work on Monday, Aug. 18 and was reassigned to home on August 22 when it was discovered he had a troubled history of allegations regarding inappropriate behavior with young children. Deshler vehemently denies the charges. An indictment in New Mexico for criminal sexual contact with a minor was formally dismissed on August 28. His California teaching credential was restored until 2012 shortly after.

Deshler says he passed a “live scan” screening administered by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools’ Office.

Concerned parents began researching internet sources about the newly-hired teacher, raising questions as to why the same Google searches were not done by high school administrators before hiring the new teacher. The Mountain Enterprise found an extensive history of complaints from at least five previous schools, as did concerned parents.

This is part of the September 12, 2008 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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