A Lake City High School science teacher whose chiropractic license was revoked in 2004 for professional misconduct has resigned.

Jeff Kantola was placed on administrative leave in October after a parent raised concern that Kantola, who is unable to become licensed to treat patients as a chiropractor, is teaching high school students in Coeur d’Alene.

Kantola’s chiropractic license was revoked in the state of Washington after he admitted to having sexual relationships with a patient and an employee, and then failed to comply with the terms of a suspension order. That suspension order included a requirement for Kantola to receive treatment for an expected minimum of two years from a therapist experienced in treating sexual problems, and he was not allowed to treat female patients without a female chaperone present.

“Recent events, that had nothing to do with my performance as a teacher, have had an impact on both my ability to continue to be an effective teacher at Lake City High School as well as maintain the ability to have an appropriate environment at the school for other members of my family,” Kantola wrote, in his resignation letter submitted to the district administration last week.

The Idaho Department of Education issued Kantola a teaching license in 2015, and he was hired by the Coeur d’Alene School District that year. He previously held a teaching license in Tennessee, where he taught for four years.

Teachers at Lake City rallied around Kantola. A large number of the high school’s educators attended the school board’s November meeting and petitioned the administration and board to keep Kantola on staff. “This teacher is an excellent educator and what is in the past is in the past and has no connection to the classroom or the safety of the students,” said Lake City High School music teacher Tim Sandford, when he spoke to the board in November.

Monday afternoon, Laura Rumpler, the school district’s communications director, said because this is a personnel matter, the information the school district can share is limited. The Press did not acquire Kantola’s resignation letter from the school district.

Rumpler did say the district’s administration respects Kantola’s decision, and was recommending the board accept his resignation.

She said a long-term substitute teacher with a science background has been teaching Kantola’s classes while he was on leave.

“Our primary focus is on education and providing consistency for the students,” Rumpler said.

In his letter, Kantola had high praise for the teachers, administration and coaches at Lake City High.

“It would be my desire to stay and be part of this wonderful educational family, however I have come to the conclusion that it is in my best interest and the best interest of my family that I move on to other professional opportunties,” Kantola wrote.

The school board accepted Kantola’s resignation when they met Monday evening.