Plum School Board squabbles over whether to readmit Stepnick as member

Plum School Board members squabbled whether Michelle Stepnick, who wants to return to the school board seat from which she resigned last month, could sit as a school board member during a committee meeting Tuesday.

Stepnick resigned prior to the board reinstating Timothy Glasspool, who was on leave as superintendent in the wake of a faculty-student sex scandal.

Stepnick submitted a letter to the district Oct. 7 rescinding her resignation.

However, the board has accepted letters of interest and conducted interviews with people wanting to replace her on the board.

Stepnick sat with the school board during Tuesday night's committee meeting, much to the frustration of board member Sue Caldwell.

“It's a problem for me cause she resigned,” Caldwell said.

Attorney Tony Giglio, filling in for district Solicitor Lee Price, said it was Price's opinion that Stepnick could sit with the board because the session was not a voting meeting.

Caldwell said Stepnick should not automatically be allowed to come back. She likened the school board to a sports team, and if you quit, “You have to try out again.”

Resident Bill Chapla, who interviewed for the assumed vacancy, also expressed frustration.

“What the hell is going on?” he said.

“It's a total disgrace.”

The three finalists for the contested seat are Stepnick, Scott Coulson and Dave DiTullio. Board members plan to vote Oct. 25 on a replacement. The meeting will be at the borough building.

Mike DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer.