Corrections teacher surrenders license

A local teacher who was being investigated for his Internet use has surrendered his teaching license.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100403/NEWS02/4030362/1003/NEWS02 # # # # Corrections teacher surrenders license  •    By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: April 3, 2010  •   SPRINGFIELD — A local teacher who was being investigated for his Internet use has surrendered his teaching license.  •   Robert P. Walsh, a former science teacher at the Community High School of Vermont, surrendered his license March 1, according to the state Department of Education.  •   "We sent him a letter saying we were investigating him and (told him) you can surrender your license if you want and avoid months of investigation," said department spokeswoman Jill Remick.  •   Details of Walsh's conduct are scant. According to the Education Department, which licenses teachers in the state, Walsh "(v)iolated school policy on appropriate Internet use."  •   State officials said Walsh has been licensed to teach science since December 2004 and has only taught at the Community High School of Vermont. Details of Walsh's Internet use were not available.  •   The Community High School of Vermont is operated by the Department of Corrections, with 17 campuses across the state and between 350 and 500 students attending on any given day. The Springfield prison campus is not affiliated with the Springfield School District.  •   Community High School Superintendent Wilhelmina Picard relayed a message through her administrative assistant that the issue was a "personnel matter" and she would not discuss it.  •   Walsh no longer works at the school, according to Picard's administrative assistant.  •  One thing that is clear is that Walsh can no longer teach at the Community High School or any other public school in Vermont.  •   "He can't teach in any public school (in the state) and the Community High School of Vermont is a public school," Remick said.  •   Walsh could not be reached for comment.  •