SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri teacher could be fired after bringing a container of mercury to school that later spilled, forcing the school to be closed for a day.
Forsyth School District Superintendent Brent Blevins told the Springfield News-Leader that the school board plans a termination hearing for sixth-grade teacher Michael Ragain.
Ragain is accused of violating a district policy against having mercury in schools when he brought a plastic bottle of mercury to class on Aug. 18. A spoonful of the liquid metal spilled from the container and was tracked throughout the wing of the building.
The district closed the school for a day to decontaminate the building. Health officials say no one was harmed by the spill.
Ragain, a 10-year veteran, has not yet responded to the district’s letter.
