Can a school entity terminate an educator for “immorality” after their third Driving Under the Influence conviction? Legal Background: In 2021, when I originally wrote this blog, the Pennsylvania General Assembly identified those criminal offenses forbidden for an educator within Article 1, Section 111(e)(1-3). Driv... Feb 23, 2023
Can educators and administrators suspend a cheerleader for one year from the cheerleader squad following her vulgar Snapchat post about the same cheerleading squad? Background : In 2017, B.L., a freshman in the Mahanoy Area School District (District), tried out for the Varsity cheerleading squad. She made the Junior Varsity, but not Varsity squad. That weekend, B... Feb 23, 2023
Can an educator be required by a school entity administrator to submit to an immediate urine test for illegal drugs? Background : T.M., a male middle school physical education teacher, was going through divorce litigation. His wife’s attorney obtained copies of his recent drug test showing positive results for cocai... Feb 17, 2023
May a school entity terminate an educator if she does not “command respect and good will" of the school community? Background : Ms. Horosko was a school teacher within the Mt. Pleasant Township School District (District). She was an instructor at the District's lower grade school in the country. Eighteen pupils we... Feb 17, 2023
Was it educator misconduct for a classroom aide to wear a religious symbol on her necklace in a Pennsylvania public elementary school? Background. B.N. was employed by the Armstrong Indiana (ARIN) Intermediate Unit 28 as an instructional assistant at Penns Manor Area Elementary School during the 2002-2003 school year. At that time, B... Feb 17, 2023
May a school district employee be dismissed without prior opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing? Background. James Loudermill was hired in 1979 by the Cleveland Board of Education (Board) to work as a security guard. This position constituted civil service employment. On his application, Loudermi... Feb 17, 2023