SANTA MONICA—A high school science teacher and wrestling coach was reinstated to his regular position on April 21 following an altercation with a student.

Mark Black, who works at Santa Monica High School, was back at work on the Monday after the school’s spring break, according to a letter from Sandra Lyon, Superintendent of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

“Based on what we have learned, it is appropriate to return Mr. Black from paid administrative leave, at this time,” said Lyon in the letter.

Black was placed on leave following a physical altercation with student, Blair Moore. A video that captured the incident showed Black and Moore struggling in a classroom as the wrestling coach tried to force the student to the ground. Witnesses to the event alleged that Moore had attempted to sell marijuana in the classroom, which Black had seen and tried to stop.

Moore was charged with multiple misdemeanors, including threatening a public school official and possession of marijuana and a box cutter on school grounds, according to a statement from the Santa Monica Police Department. Moore is due back in court to begin his trial on May 6. A 16-year-old was also involved in the incident, but his identity was not revealed to the public due to his age.

In addition to stating that an internal investigation will be concluded by next week, Superintendent Lyon said that the school was working closely with the Santa Monica Police Department. The school would not comment on any details regarding the incident, and it would not disclose any disciplinary actions, if any, taken against Moore. Superintendent Lyon noted that despite the initial actions taken against Black, the school was acting in accordance with its own policies regarding physical disputes between a teacher and student.

“I want to make it clear that Mark Black was not fired or suspended from his job, he was simply placed on leave with pay during the investigation,” said Superintendent Lyon.

Public reaction against Superintendent Lyon and the school was swift when it was learned that Black was placed on leave. A Facebook page in support of Black was created along with a petition that sought to reinstate Black to his position. A separate petition was created that demanded an apology from Superintendent Lyon for an initial letter that called the altercation “utterly alarming.”

With Black returning to his job, supporters have been expressing their elation at seeing the return of the coach, while still admonishing school officials for the way they handled the situation.

“Congratulations to Coach Black for his reinstatement,” said one commenter. “We need more like you across the country.”

In response to the incident, Superintendent Lyon stated that District leaders would help create a training system that would help communicate to students and teachers the proper procedures for preventing altercations like the one from April 4 and how to act when one has occurred.

Santa Monica High School Principal Eva Mayoral would be assembling a panel consisting of school employees, students and teachers to discuss the ramifications of the dispute between Black and Moore. Canyon News reached out to Coach Black for comment, but he has not returned our calls.