Education A National Roundup

Fla. Teacher Alleged to Have Offered Lesson on Destructive Device

By Sean Cavanagh — February 23, 2005 1 min read
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A chemistry teacher in Florida was arrested last week after allegedly showing students how to make explosive devices.

David Pieski, 42, a chemistry teacher at Freedom High School outside Orlando, was charged with manufacturing a destructive device and culpable negligence, according to an arrest warrant issued by the Orange County sheriff’s office.

The arrest stems from an investigation into chemical explosions of homemade devices, including at a golf course and in a subdivision. Investigators said they learned that the devices had been constructed by students, who said they learned to make them in Mr. Pieski’s class.

The teacher was arrested and released from custody on Feb. 15. He has been relieved of his teaching duties with pay pending the outcome of a school district investigation, said Lin Wright, a spokesman for the 174,000-student Orange County school district.

“He’s a bright, talented teacher,” Mr. Wright. “We have to wait to see how this is resolved.”

Mr. Pieski could not be reached for comment.

A version of this article appeared in the February 23, 2005 edition of Education Week

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