Maple Grove Junior High Teacher on Paid Leave After Students Injured

A science demonstration in a ninth-grade class that left four students with burns last week still is under investigation.

In the meantime, the science demonstration has been halted across the Osseo School District and the classroom teacher remains on paid administrative leave as of Monday, Dec. 5.

The happened last Thursday, Dec. 1, when a demonstration involving methanol caused a fire, which burned the students. All four were transported to Hennepin County Medical Center for burns. Freshman Dane Neuberger sustained severe burns, according to media reports, and was released over the weekend.

Science teacher Matthew Achor has been placed on paid administrative leave by the pending the outcome of the investigation, according to Barbara Olson, director of school/community relations. Achor has been on leave since Friday, Dec. 2. He has been with the Osseo School District for 26 years.

Jay Anderson, the teachers union president of Education Minnesota-Osseo, said while it was "understandable" the district took the action during the investigation, at the “same time, after hearing what happened, we truly believe it was an accident.” He said it was “hoped” Achor would have been back at work today [Monday] with the students.

Although Achor has not commented publicly since the incident, Anderson said Achor’s “main" and "number one concern” after the incident was and has been the students.

The methanol demonstration done in the classroom, according to Anderson, is one that was designed to show students the change in the state of matter from liquid to gas. The demonstration has been done “since the 1970s,” with slight modifications and done “hundreds of times” in the Osseo School District without an incident, he said.

“Anytime an accident occurs, it always good to review what happened to see if it can be made safer,” Anderson said of the current investigation.

Last Friday, Dec. 2, the Osseo School District directed all secondary teachers in the district to suspend that particular demonstration “while we review our practices to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help ensure safe learning and working environments for students and staff,” Olson said.

As of Monday, Dec. 5, the investigation into the Dec. 1 incident at Maple Grove Junior High remains open with the Osseo School District and Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.