Katy teacher gets boot after taping students' mouths

A Katy elementary school teacher has lost her job over incidents where she taped some students' mouths closed. The Katy school board voted last night not to renew Jennifer Silva's contract; she's been on suspension since the Feb. 2 tape incident. District officials said Silva violated school district policy, acted unprofessionally, falsified district records and misrepresented facts. Other than that, we're sure she was a fine teacher.

"KISD informed me of the proposed termination before the actual investigation of the incident was even completed, and without ever meeting with me personally to resolve the matter in any way other than termination," Silva said. "I do not believe what I did warrants such a harsh punishment as to end my career."

Katy ISD spokeswoman Kris Taylor said the district followed local legal guidelines.

"The reasons for non-renewal of contracts are clearly stated in the policy," Taylor said.

Silva has 15 days to appeal the board's decision, and trustess have 15 days from the date of a request for appeal to actually set a hearing and make a ruling. Silva indicated she will take advantage of the opportunity for a hearing: "All I want is a chance to tell my side of the story openly," she said.

Houstonist is still wondering what it is with teachers and tape: Just days before the incident involving Silva, a teacher at MacArthur High School resigned after people found out he put tape on a student's mouth and wrists.