District investigates teacher

A Spokane social studies teacher recently featured in a “Frontline” television program about the late Mayor Jim West has been placed on paid administrative leave while officials investigate accusations of inappropriate use of school district computers.

Peter L. Perkins’ three classroom computers at Rogers High School and a laptop were seized by administrators for review earlier this month, Spokane Public Schools spokeswoman Terren Roloff said Wednesday. The computers have since been returned to the classroom, but the 48-year-old teacher remains under investigation by the district.

District officials would not say what was found on Perkins’ computers because the information is part of the inquiry.

The Spokane Police Department’s sex crimes unit was also contacted regarding Perkins’ computer use, Spokane police Officer Teresa Fuller said. But the teacher is not under criminal investigation, Fuller said.

The district’s investigation began Nov. 8, and Perkins was put on leave Nov. 13.

Perkins appeared on the PBS broadcast of “A Hidden Life” on Nov. 14. The program focused on a Spokesman-Review investigation into West’s online pursuit of young men using the trappings of his elected city office and allegations that he had molested boys decades ago, as well as his sponsoring of anti-gay legislation while in the Legislature.

Perkins spoke to “Frontline” reporters about the difficulty of being a gay man in Spokane and said he unknowingly communicated with West on Gay.com. He speculated that West’s suppression of his sexuality was created by growing up in Spokane, which he described as being intolerant of gays.

Perkins started his career in Spokane 20 years ago, just as West was introducing legislation to “fire anyone who was a gay teacher or gay state worker,” Perkins told “Frontline.” Perkins, then 28, also hid his sexuality from his co-workers, until early 2005.

Perkins, in the “Frontline” program, did not defend West’s actions as mayor.

Perkins could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The investigation into Perkins’ alleged inappropriate use of computers was initiated by someone who does not work in the school district. “As the investigation has continued more concerns have been uncovered,” from district employees and others outside the district, Roloff said.

Perkins, who has spent his career at Rogers, has never before been investigated, Roloff said. District officials have not yet interviewed him for their investigation. The district did not announce Perkins’ suspension when it occurred.

The Spokesman-Review learned of the investigation through an anonymous tip and contacted district spokeswoman Kristy Mylroie, who denied on Tuesday that Perkins had been suspended. Instead, according to Mylroie, Perkins told Rogers High School officials before Thanksgiving that he was going to an education conference and would return after the holiday.

Roloff later said that the misinformation stemmed from a reporter asking whether Perkins was “suspended” rather than using the district’s preferred term, “paid administrative leave.”

School district employees and students who have asked why Perkins is gone have also been told he would return after the Thanksgiving holiday. However, Roloff said Wednesday, “we don’t have any idea how long he’ll be on leave.”