Johnston Middle School Parent Upset After R-Rated Clip Shown in Math Class

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the time of tonight's Johnston Board of Education meeting. The Board meets at 6 p.m. in the Adminisrtive Resource Center.

The brief showing of a horror movie trailer in a Johnston Middle School math class has one parent upset, and a teacher has been disciplined.

On Tuesday, Troy Gomez, the father of an eighth-grader at the school, contacted school officials and board members after his son's class viewed a portion of "Texas Chainsaw 3D" during class on Jan. 7.

In the email, Gomez said his son was "extremely disturbed" by the incident.

"The title of the movie says it all! “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” it has an R-rating and the description states that it contains strong, grisly violence and language throughout. How could any educator have been so insensitive at this time, it's unthinkable!" Gomez wrote in the email to school officials, which he supplied to Johnston Patch.

After the incident was reported by the Des Moines Register, Johnston school board member John Dutcher expressed his support to Gomez online - on both the Register story comments and his own Facebook page.

"I fully support Mr. Gomez in his action on this matter," Dutcher wrote. "As a parent, one maintains a proper role and voice in their children's education. The fact that his son was not of an age to see this movie or trailer without parental accompaniment or permission (which was neither requested or granted by the teacher) is a serious matter."

According to Gomez's email, the teacher used Youtube to access the trailer, since the site was at first blocked, the teacher entered a password to gain access.

The teacher then suggested any student who might be scared or frightened by horror movies should wait in the hall, Gomez wrote.

In the email, Gomez said the clip only ran for a short time.

"After the trailer began playing, first up was the big green R-Rated warning screen (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Guardian) and the movie trailer begins to play. When the trailer soon reached a spot that began showing a young female in her bra who was putting back on her blouse as she sat next to a young man appearing relaxed and satisfied in the back seat of a van."

While the film carries an R-rating, the trailer is considered suitable for all audiences, according to Motion Picture Association of America.

A school district official told the Des Moines Register Friday that the teacher involved would be disciplined.

Laura Dillavou, district communications and marketing coordinator, told the Register the disciplinary action would remain confidential, because it is a personnel matter.

The Des Moines Register reported that Tom Mitchell, director of human resources, said the teacher used the material without thinking or previewing - representing "a serious lapse of judgment."

In recent months, the district board of education approved new technology guidelines - including appropriate internet use.

The policy states that streaming video and audio is not allowed during school hours unless directed by district administrators.

Gomez has also been in contact with board members, administrators and other district officials in recent months regarding a bullying situation involving his son.

Gomez requested the board discuss the bullying matter at tonight's board meeting at 6 p.m.