SYLVA — A teacher who refused to administer state end-of-grade tests to his students with severe disabilities was fired this past Monday on a unanimous vote by the Jackson County Board of Education.
Following a two-hour closed session, the board voted 5-0 to support School Superintendent Sue Nations’ recommendation not to renew Doug Ward’s contract.

Ward, 36, has been suspended for the rest of the school year — with pay — because he reportedly was told his presence would cause too much of a disruption.

As a result, he will not be allowed to re-enter the school to say goodbye to his former students at Cullowhee Valley School.

The suspension and firing followed a May 12 letter that Ward sent to his school and district administration saying he would not participate in the NCEXTEND1 because recent test changes made it impossible for his students to pass.

His refusal marked the first time a North Carolina teacher has refused to administer standardized tests, according to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Students with disabilities must be tested under the federal No Child Left Behind Act law.