Idaho’s Professional Standards Commission (PSC) took action Thursday against seven teachers who violated the state’s Code of Ethics for public educators.

The standards commission is an 18-member volunteer board made up of teachers, school administrators and higher education officials, who have the authority to approve, suspend and revoke teaching and administrative licenses in Idaho.

The commission revoked and suspended licenses for a range of violations, from inappropriate social media contact to sexual discussions in the classroom setting. And one former teacher is currently incarcerated for two felonies involving a child under the age of 16.

Below are summaries of the complaints against the educators and the board’s disciplinary decisions.

John Cook — Midvale School District

Last year, Cook discussed inappropriate sexual topics with female students and had inappropriate communication with students on social media.

Cook was certified to teach English, humanities, social studies and health. During health class, he discussed female masturbation; he also referred to a student as “sweetie” on social media, commented about how students might look in bikinis, and asked other female students if they “shaved.”

The PSC revoked Cooks’ teaching license.

Dustin Kisner — Emmett School District

Kisner was last employed in Idaho as a math teacher with the Emmett School District. In 2022, Kisner pleaded guilty to two felonies: lewd conduct with a child and enticing a child through the internet.

The PSC permanently revoked his teaching license. At the time of publication, Kisner was incarcerated at Gem County Jail in Emmett.

Robert Schmidt — Richfield School District

Schmidt was a secondary math teacher with Richfield. Schmidt was charged with two misdemeanors but pleaded guilty to one: sexual battery of a minor.

Schmidt talked about both male and female genitalia, sexual emotions, drugs, his political views and showed inappropriate video clips that glorified drugs. He also had breakdowns in class that included fits of crying and leaving students unattended.

The PSC permanently revoked his teaching license. 

Khristopher Kohlmeier — Boise School District

The complaint against Kohlmeier states that he sent inappropriate emails and gave gifts to a female student. He was certified as an English teacher, and he held a principal’s endorsement for K-12.

Kohlmeier had inappropriate communication with a female high school student for three years and after she left for college. He expressed his love for her and a desire to leave “everything and run to her if she says the word.”

The PSC indefinitely suspended his license. To regain his Idaho teaching certification, Kohlmeier must provide evidence to the PSC — for example, through counseling or other mental health resources — that his behavior will not reoccur.

Kyah Piva — Challis School District

The complaint states that Piva engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a male student. The incident occurred during the 2019-2020 school year while she was a physical education teacher. She exchanged messages and photos on social media that were “pretty flirty.” She also met the student on two occasions at a location away from school.

The PSC indefinitely suspended her teaching license. To regain certification, she will have to provide evidence that this type of situation will not reoccur.

Stacy Hutchinson (Xavier Charter School) and Angela Meadows (Rolling Hills Public Charter School) both accepted letters of reprimand for breaking their initial contracts to accept teaching positions at other schools. After signing their contracts, both educators found employment elsewhere and resigned their positions.