Saylor was set to go on trial Wednesday, but struck a deal instead with prosecutors. Saylor agreed to disorderly conduct charges, but still disagrees with prosecutors about what happened last school year.
Both sides agree that Saylor was showing off a black powder rifle to his social studies class and fired it. Prosecutors said there was a bullet in the gun and it struck a construction trailer that was located nearby.
Saylor's attorney, Wayne Stephan, said a bullet was never recovered, so why not go to trial? He said, “I believe the objective of both sides was to start the school year without issue and being a distraction to either students, families or school staff.”
Kettering parents said they are still bothered by the incident.
School officials gave Saylor a letter of reprimand and will allow him to teach again starting next week. The district’s superintendent is out of town, but he said he did not fire Saylor because he is a good teacher. He also said what happened was simply an accident.
The superintendent said there is a difference between a teacher bringing a gun for a good intention and a student bringing a gun when the intention is never good.
The school principal also gave Saylor permission to do the demonstration on school property. But, the superintendent said that will never happen again.
Saylor was ordered to pay a $100 fine and court costs. However, the state board of education is now investigating. The board can either do nothing with the case or revoke Saylor’s teaching certificate.
Previous Stories: July 14, 2005: Teacher Accused Of Recklessly Firing Gun Appears In Court June 15, 2005: Teacher Accused Of Firing Gun At School