Snake River teacher keeps her job

Embattled Snake River High School science teacher will remain on the job — but faces a year’s probation — in the face of a harassment and bullying complaint.

The Eastern Idaho school district announced the decision Monday night, bringing closure to a complaint that has divided the teaching staff.

On Monday, Asmus expressed appreciation for the community’s support, but also said she wants to know why the district found her in violation of district policies and state teachers’ standards.

“That’s serious,” Asmus told the Idaho State Journal.

The harassment and bullying complaint centered on a confrontation between Asmus and Laura Gabrylczyk, a Snake River Junior High School science teacher and the wife of Superintendent Mark Gabrylczyk. The two teachers got into a shouting match over the use of school equipment, according to the district’s findings of fact.

Those findings were something of a mixed bag, the Journal reported. The report praises Asmus as an award-winning teacher who has the support of the community and students, but it also says the veteran teacher has been “intolerant, judgmental and insensitive to the effect her actions were having on other members of the staff.”

Click here for backstory on the district’s hearings on Asmus.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]

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