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Gene Kennedy reporting A pottery teacher at Box Elder High School is on paid leave after his students were potentially exposed to asbestos in his classroom. But tonight, district officials admit there's more to the story.
The district superintendent tells Eyewitness News that Lee Burningham won't be fired over the asbestos concerns. Part of the reason Burningham's job is in limbo is because he's taken pottery students to out-of-the-area events. He says school officials have expressed concerns that it's a liability.
"I'm an artist. Artists are supposed to be renegades," Burningham said. He says he has no regrets taking students to national ceramic conferences, even if it is against the advice of Box Elder school officials.
"It's all about giving them the exposure to see what's above and beyond," Burningham explained.
But is that why the district put Burningham on paid leave? Box Elder School District Superintendent Martell Menlove said, "I can't comment about that."
Off camera, the superintendent admitted there's more than what is on the surface with this story. But what sparked the controversy last Wednesday? Students kicked up floor tiles with asbestos in them, and Burningham allowed the students to throw the tiles away. The district says, for safety reasons, only custodians should do that.
School officials evacuated and locked Burningham's pottery class. Now, Burningham has to write up a report about what happened.
"I was told it will either hurt or help my future employment at Box Elder," he said.
Meanwhile, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality is testing the tiles for health risks. Those results haven't come back yet, but the Box Elder School District had separate tests done.
"They're indicating minimal asbestos in the air in that room, and that the room needs to be cleaned up before students are back in the room," Menlove said.
By 2010, there will be a new Box Elder High School. Burningham hopes to be a part of it, but after 16 years at the school, he's now wondering if he has a job.
Burningham is an award-winning teacher admired by students and parents. Many will come out to support him at a Wednesday night school board meeting, but his job status is not on the agenda. The superintendent says that will probably be discussed behind closed doors.
