Former librarian banned from work in Vt. schools
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By Cristina Kumka Staff Writer - Published: November 20, 2009
BENNINGTON — A librarian from Mount Anthony Middle School was recently banned from working in all Vermont schools for inappropriately using the Internet.
David Wohlsen, a prekindergarten through Grade 12 library media specialist, surrendered his teaching license to the state Department of Education earlier this month on the grounds that he "violated school policy on appropriate Internet use," according to an Education Department Web site posting.
According to the school district's policy, unacceptable use of the Internet is "threatening or obscene materials, antisocial behaviors like hate mail, harassment or discriminatory remarks, for profit or illegal activities, product advertisement, political lobbying, other non-academic uses and non-educational mailing lists."
The department's general counsel Mark Oettinger would not say what Wohlsen did, citing privacy laws.
Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union Superintendent Catherine McClure did not return a call and e-mail for comment by press time Thursday.
The surrender has the same effect as a revocation and Wohlsen is banned from being an educator in Vermont schools, according to Oettinger and a letter sent to Wohlsen from state licensing investigator Mark Raymond on Oct. 29.
Wohlsen giving up his license stopped the investigation into what he did, according to the letter, and it will be reported to the national database, the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification Clearinghouse or NASDTEC.
Oettinger said few details of the case are being revealed because no disciplinary agreement was necessary — no future action or conditions can be imposed on Wohlsen, unlike in other licensing cases because he self-surrendered his license, agreeing to not teach.
In some cases, teacher's licenses are suspended and they are required to meet a number of conditions in order to keep their license, Oettinger said.
Speaking in general, Oettinger said when teachers have their licenses revoked, "They may apply for relicensure (but will have to) essentially prove with clear and convincing evidence that they had been rehabilitated."
"It's not an application on a blank slate," Oettinger said, adding that the chance of Wohlsen obtaining a Vermont teaching license again is remote.
Wohlsen did not return a phone call left at his home Thursday.
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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