MORTON, Wash. (AP) - The Morton School District says a history teacher who was fired but won his job back on appeal has called in sick again.

Michael Moulton hasn't been in school since classes started for the year on Monday. He called in sick again on Wednesday. Parents have demonstrated outside of school and are planning a protest in Olympia. They want Moulton out of the classroom permanently.

The 56-year-old was convicted of inappropriately touching four girls in 2008 and served 16 days in the Lewis County Jail. He was accused of touching girls on the back or shoulder. He said the contacts were pats meant as encouragement.

The state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is investigating Moulton to decide whether he'll keep his teaching certificate.