JEFFERSON, Iowa — The contract of a Greene County High School teacher who was arrested at the school March 31 with a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit was terminated at a special meeting of the board of education Wednesday.
Greene County Community School District Superintendent Tim Christensen recommended terminating the continuing contract of special education teacher Peyton Michael Paddock, 24, of 501 E. Vest St., Jefferson.
The board unanimously approved the termination.
Paddock will remain on paid administrative leave through the end of the current school year. The Iowa Board of Education Examiners will be contacted, as required by law.
According to court documents, Greene County High School Principal Brian Phillips called Paddock to his office March 31 at 11:34 a.m. after teachers reported “abnormal behavior.” Police performed a preliminary breath test at the school, with a result of 0.255 (percent blood alcohol).
Paddock had driven himself to school and was shown on surveillance video “staggering” into the school, according to court records. Paddock was arrested for OWI and public intoxication.
Paddock changed his plea to guilty of first-offense OWI at a May 4 hearing in Greene County District Court, having initially pleaded not guilty. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with all but two days suspended. He is eligible to complete the Des Moines Area Community College 48-hour alcohol education program in lieu of the jail time.
He was placed on probation to Boone/Greene County Probation for one year. He must also undergo a substance abuse evaluation and complete any recommended treatment at his own expense. Paddock was fined $1,250, with a $187.50 surcharge. One-half the fine and surcharge were waived because he has already obtained a temporary restricted license.
The charge of public intoxication was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. He was assessed $60 court costs in that case.
The standards of professional conduct and ethics of the Iowa Board of Education Examiners (BEE) prohibit teachers from being on school premises or at a school-sponsored activity involving students while under the influence of, possessing, using or consuming alcohol.
Licensed teachers whose conduct is found to be unprofessional or unethical can be disciplined by the BEE, up to and including revoking his or her teaching license.
A Monticello, Iowa, native, Paddock was a placekicker for the Iowa State University football team from 2015 to 2019. He was convicted of assault in 2020 in Greene County District Court in an incident in which he found high school students toilet papering his residence.
Victoria Riley is the editor and published of the Greene County News Online.
