Teacher reinstated despite felony fraud charges

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Days after kids came back to LBJ Middle School from winter break, so did a long-absent history teacher. William “Kal” Kalinowski.

Despite pending felony charges for fraud and embezzlement, Kalinowski was reinstated by Albuquerque Public Schools and is back in the classroom.

It’s a story KRQE News 13 investigative reporter Larry Barker first told you about in November.

Once a high-end home builder in Santa Fe, Kalinowski is now accused of bilking his clients out of millions of dollars and was indicted in 2013.

Despite that, the New Mexico Public Education Department issued him a teaching license and APS decided to hire him.

After Barker’s story however, APS put Kalinowski on administrative leave and the PED said it would look at yanking his teaching license.

But this week, an about-face. APS says after reviewing the case with its attorneys and APS Police, Kalinowski is cleared to return to teaching.

“We found that there’s nothing that bars the district form keeping Mr. Kalinowski employed,” said Monica Armenta, APS communications head. “The accusations brought against him have nothing to do with students or school activity whatsoever. Every employee is afforded due process and in this country you’re innocent until proven guilty.”

Kalinowski’s teaching license is safe as well, at least for now.

In a statement, PED spokesperson Larry Behrens says the department’s hands are tied.

“It is clear the case of Mr. Kalinowski presents a conflict between the spirit of the law, and the letter of the law. By reasonable expectations, a person confined to wearing a law enforcement ankle bracelet has no place in the classroom. However, after an examination of the law, PED does not have any standing to take action against his license at this time.”

APS board member Marty Esquivel is not happy with Kalinowski’s reinstatement.

“I respect the fact that the superintendent can make those decisions but I think it’s a bad idea,” Esquivel said. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea to have this individual in our classrooms right now.”

LBJ Middle School parents KRQE News 13 spoke to agreed.

“If you don’t have integrity in all of your life, you can’t teach that to the children,” said Dorothy Schwiedergoll, a grandparent of an LBJ student. “I think they should wait and find out if he’s guilty or innocent.”

“I just don’t think it’s right for him to be teaching our kids,” said LBJ parent Diana Fry.

One parent who was happy is APS board member Kathy Korte. Kalinowski taught her son.

Korte tells KRQE News 13 that she supports the district’s decision to reinstate Kalinowski and that he is an excellent teacher.

Kalinowski is set to go on trial in May. If convicted, he faces up to 82 years behind bars for the 10 criminal charges he’s currently facing.