| Former Gilmer County principal John G. Wolfe II has lost his teaching certificate linked to inappropriate use of school computers in obtaining pornographic photos and using the Internet and a web-cam for sexual activity while on the job.
Wolfe resigned from his position as principal of Sand Fork Elementary School in February, 2005.
Wolfe's license was revoked on January 23, 2006 by the WV Department of Education following an official investigation last year requested by Gilmer's school superintendent Ed Toman.
Details were made public last week following an investigation by the Professional Practice Panel, which convened in December, 2005.
Wolfe was a long-time Gilmer County educator, starting his career in 1978. He served as assistant principal at Gilmer County High School, later becoming principal at Sand Fork Elementary School.
While officials said the reason for suspension of Wolfe's teaching license is related to misuse of school equipment and inappropriate behavior for a role model, superintendent Toman advised the Gilmer County prosecutor Jerry Hough early last year of the problem and the computers are currently in possession of the Gilmer County Sheriff's Department.
The panel said there was no evidence that students were exposed to the activity.
It said "Whereas it may be acceptable...for an adult to view and transmit legal Internet photography in his own home on his own computer equipment, nowhere would it be acceptable for the same adult to engage in the same activity on school computers."
In the fall of 2002, assistant principal David Bishop of Gilmer County High School discovered what the report said was inappropriate websites on a computer that had been used by Wolfe.
A few months later Bishop pulled up pictures of "young men or boys depicting full-frontal nudity."
Bishop printed the photographs and deleted them from the computer, delivering them to then Superintendent Sue Waggoner. Ms. Waggoner told investigators she did not actively look into the matter at that time.
Later, she informed the president of the school board about Wolfe's computer use, placed the photos in a file and took them home. She then retired in 2004.
In September 2004, a member of the school board informed newly appointed superintendent Ed Toman about Wolfe's use of school's computers.
Superintendent Toman began an investigation, which included locating the photos in a file at the former superintendent's house.
By January, 2005, Toman contacted Wolfe, advising him he had received information of a serious nature regarding computer misuse.
Shortly thereafter, Wolfe contacted the superintendent at his residence and informed him he intended to resign.
Wolfe made what appeared to be excuses, saying that Sand Fork's school secretary Lois Wade and the school's custodian had access to the computer.
On January 31, 2005, Toman advised Wolfe he was being suspended without pay for 30 days, and that he would be asking the school board to terminate his employment.
Toman said the termination was based on Wolfe "accessing, receiving, storing, creating and transmitting pornographic and obscene images using school computer equipment."
Wolfe then resigned, but changed his mind upon the advice of an attorney, but changed his mind again and submitted a resignation letter to the school board which they accepted February 14, 2005.
The Professional Practice Panel, comprised of educators from all walks of the educational community, said
Wolfe admitted to his behavior during and after school hours, testifying that the communications were adult in nature.
Since the case began, the report indicates that Wolfe has gestured suicide, and has since sought counseling.
State school officials said in the report, Superintendent Toman is not to blame, and should be commended for taking action.
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