By Kevin Amerman
Of The Morning Call
Bruce H. Smith not scheduled to reprise role as class adviser.
Smith, who has taught in the district for at least 10 years, went on medical leave days after Patricia and William Young III filed a lawsuit
September 15, 2007
A popular Pleasant Valley High School teacher accused in a federal lawsuit of showing students photos of nude murder victims and discussing inappropriate sexual matters in class is off medical leave and back in the classroom, the district superintendent says.
But Bruce H. Smith is not slated to serve as a class adviser, as he has in the past. Last year, he was senior class adviser.
The school board on Thursday approved Patty McLain to that position. High school Principal John Gress said advisers usually start with a younger class and advise them until they are seniors.
Douglas Arnold, who became superintendent in April and is not a party to the lawsuit, said Smith apparently didn't nominate himself for a class adviser position this year. Arnold said he's not aware of any district employee who instructed Smith not to nominate himself.
Smith had also been a film class adviser, but as of Friday no one had been nominated for that position and Gress said he's not sure who will fill that role.
May 9 The suit alleges that Smith, a 20th century history teacher, showed 16- and 17-year-old students, including Patricia Young's daughter, photos of nude murder victims, asked students what they wore during pillow fights, discussed push-up bras, and told them he skipped college classes to have sex with a cheerleader.
It says Smith also gave students his book ''Memoirs of a Class President,'' which describes several graphic sexual encounters, including details of how he lost his virginity.
When Smith went on leave, school officials said, it was his own decision
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