North Platte Teacher Suspended

By: Associated Press

Updated: Wed 8:50 AM, May 19, 2004

North Platte High School has suspended one of its teachers after he allowed students to watch the video of American Nick Berg being beheaded in Iraq.

Parents and students said 19-year teaching veteran Dan Sheesley allowed students in his morning sociology and history classes to view the video Friday.

The school confirmed that a teacher had been suspended with pay the same day. A statement from the school, which would not identify the teacher involved, said the suspension is not to, "exceed 30 days."

Sheesley would not comment on the matter. He said the teachers' union has advised him not to talk about the subject.

North Platte High School Principal Dan Twarling said about 30 students saw the video, but no student was forced to watch it.

Twarling said a student took the video to school on a disk Friday and he first heard of the viewing when a parent called to ask about the disk.

The school's statement said the showing of the video was inappropriate because of the potential psychological and emotional effects it could have on students.

Teachers in California, Arkansas and Texas have been suspended or placed on leave in the last two weeks for allowing students to see the video in class.

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