Dracut teacher terminated following investigation into teaching methods

DRACUT, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – A Dracut High School English teacher, who has taught at the school for 17 years, has been terminated following an investigation by authorities into a vulgarity-laden short story he wrote and then read aloud to students.

Robert Moulton was terminated by Superintendent of Schools Steven Stone on Monday for "conduct unbecoming a teacher and insubordination," Moulton told The Sentinel & Enterprise.

Moulton was suspended with pay on Oct. 3 after he refused to comply with the principal's order to submit weekly lesson plans in advance. The order was put into place after Moulton read part of a vulgar short story, which he had written to Bob Dylan, to his students.

"It was swears but if it was a movie I wouldn't put it under PG-13," said student Billy Machado.

"He was carefree. He was like, 'write whatever you want.' If you write a swear it's not like 'Oh my God!' It's getting your point across and he was a really nice guy and he actually cared," said James MacDonald, another student.

Following the incident, Moulton was suspended for seven days, ordered to submit a weekly lesson plan, and was monitored by a paraprofessional in the classroom, he told the newspaper.

Moulton told the newspaper he was scheduled to meet with school officials on Oct. 25, prior to any decision regarding his termination.

Supporters of Moulton have signed a petition, asking he be reinstated as a teacher.

According to the newspaper, Stone declined to comment calling it a "personnel matter."

For more information: The Sentinel & Enterprise

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