By Amy Bounds
Camera Staff Writer

Some parents at Mesa Elementary School in South Boulder say they are upset about the possibility that a popular third-grade teacher could be fired for sending a threatening note as a practical joke to another teacher.

Parents and students recently protested in front of the district administration building and plan to deliver letters to school board members asking for an independent review before a decision is made on teacher Russ Karsten's job at the next board meeting.

"We want to have a third party take a look at all the facts to make sure it's being treated fairly," said Mesa parent Doyle Albee.

Karsten, who is in his third year teaching at Mesa and was placed on administrative leave while the district conducts an investigation, declined to comment. School district officials said they can't comment on the specifics of the incident because it's a personnel matter.

The threatening letter was reported to Boulder police earlier this month. According to a police report, the school's literacy teacher received a note in her school mail that read: "The flood failed. You must die!"

The "flood" refers to a literacy teaching strategy. Mesa recently received its statewide, third-grade reading test scores, and the scores were slightly lower than last year's. Because literacy teacher Priscilla Kohn was "visibly upset" after receiving the note, police said, they called in a victim's advocate.

Karsten told Mesa's principal that he sent the note as a joke, according to the police report. Parents said Karsten and Kohn were friends and had exchanged a series of joking notes in the past.

"We're not trying to defend his action as appropriate," said Albee, whose daughter was in Karsten's class two years ago. "But we want to make sure all the facts come to light and that we have the best interests of the children at heart."

He said Karsten is an "outstanding" teacher who deserves a second chance, especially because the incident didn't involve a student and Karsten didn't mean to cause harm.

Mesa parent Sukmi Ledru said she's frustrated because the district doesn't seem to be listening to parent concerns. She said she wanted her second-grade daughter in Karsten's class next year.

"It feels hopeless," she said. "I don't know what parents can do."

Veronica Benavidez, Boulder Valley School District's elementary education director, said the district investigated the incident and the superintendent will make a recommendation to the school board at Tuesday's meeting.

"We believe there has been a fair and just investigation," she said.

While Mesa parents are planning to talk about the issue at the school board meeting, Benavidez said public testimony won't be allowed on the advice of legal counsel.

"It's to protect the rights and dignity of all the individuals involved," she said.

Contact Amy Bounds at boundsa@thedailycamera.com or (303) 473-1341.

May 23, 2002

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