WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsTeacher returns from leave over Facebook photo
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BEAVER DAM (WKOW) -- A Beaver Dam middle school teacher has returned to classroom duties after being placed on administrative leave in connection to a website photograph of her with a gun.
Schools superintendent Donald Childs said the photo of teacher Besty Ramsdale pointing a rifle at the camera was taken by her husband, who is a professional photographer. The photo was posted as Ramsdale's profile photo on on the social networking site, Facebook.
"Her husband took the photograph and they wanted to put it on the site," Childs said.
Childs said following an investigation of the teacher's actions in posting the photograph, Ramsdale will face no discipline. Childs said the photograph was not intended to suggest hostility or a threat.
The president of the teacher's union, Nathan Curtis of the Beaver Dam Education Association told 27 News the union was "comfortable" with Ramsdale having been placed on leave for more than a week, because it was paid and was not disciplinary.
Curtis told 27 News possible limits on teacher behavior outside the classroom is now in a new realm.
"There's new technology. We have younger teachers. Current policies don't appear to deal with web posting."
Curtis said union leaders will meet next week to discuss expectations of teacher conduct, and the protection of teacher rights and privacy.
District officials said Ramsdale's leave followed a fellow school staff member expressing concern to officials over the web post of the photo.
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