Garfield technology teacher back at work
Garfield High School teacher Kjell-Jon Rye returned to his job today after being placed on administrative leave two weeks ago.The Seattle school district won't say why Rye, founder of the school's popular Global Technology Academy, was placed on leave and said investigations are continuing.
Citing fiscal and ethical concerns, Seattle Public Schools cut ties this month with the academy, a 10-year-old program that trains students to refurbish donated computer equipment and leads them on trips to developing countries. On trips, academy students set up computer labs and train local residents to use and maintain the computers .
A district spokesman has said the district's concerns about the academy are separate from the personnel issue associated with Rye's leave.
Rye, 52, will continue to teach technology courses at the school, but they will be unrelated to the academy.
The state Auditor's Office is conducting an audit of the academy. As a private nonprofit, it may not be legal for it to use a public high school's address and to accept donations there.