Prosser High School principal Kevin Lusk receives 1-week suspension

PROSSER -- Prosser High School Principal Kevin Lusk is suspended for a week without pay in connection with his wife, a convicted child molester, attending two out-of-town school functions.

Kevin Lusk has been on paid administrative leave since Jan. 19 after Prosser Superintendent Ray Tolcacher began investigating complaints that Linda Lusk attended school events with her husband.

Tolcacher told the Herald on Thursday that Kevin Lusk's suspension was effective Wednesday, and he can return to work Feb. 16.

"I believe seven days suspension without pay is a pretty heavy hit," Tolcacher said. "It cannot happen again."

Tolcacher said Kevin Lusk signed a "last chance agreement" Wednesday, outlining the requirements for him to keep his job. Kevin Lusk must also attend counseling as part of the agreement, he said.

Lusk could not be reached about the suspension. His attorney, John Schultz of Kennewick, referred all questions to Tolcacher.

On Thursday, Tolcacher confirmed his investigation involved Linda Lusk's attending a swim meet at Central Washington University in Ellensburg with her daughter in October, as well as her attending another school event in Federal Way. Kevin Lusk also attended the events in his role as a principal.

Linda Lusk, Prosser's former mayor, is on probation for third-degree child molestation after being convicted last May of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old boy. She is barred from entering a school,prohibited from being around children under 16 without an approved chaperone and cannot traveloutside Benton, Franklin or Yakima counties without permission.

In November, she admitted to seven probation violations that included twice attending school events outside of Benton, Franklin or Yakima counties and being around boys younger than 16 without a chaperone.

She served 11 days in custody for the violations and was ordered to do community service and re-enter therapy with a counselor in Yakima.

She also violated her probation by being around boys younger than 16 without a chaperone on Oct. 1 and Oct. 31, and by attending a Prosser High School event in Federal Way on Oct. 1, state documents said.

The seventh violation was for failing to take a scheduled polygraph test.

Linda Lusk must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

This story was originally published February 10, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Prosser High School principal Kevin Lusk receives 1-week suspension."