Suspended teacher’s status due to be released soon

A spokeswoman for the Bethel Park School District said Thursday that the suspended teachers union president will know her fate within the next two weeks.

District spokeswoman Shari Bruce said Superintendent Victor Morrone would contact Leanne Dresmich, president of the Bethel Park Federation of Teachers, within a week to ten days to inform her of the school board's decision regarding her latest suspension.

Dresmich, a physical education teacher at Neil Armstrong Middle School, was suspended Wednesday without pay for an indefinite period.

This is Dresmich's fourth suspension in less than a month and the fifth this school year. Because of the string of suspensions, Dresmich has not taught since Feb. 28.

Morrone ordered the latest suspension after a brief meeting Wednesday, Dresmich said. She has said that the disciplinary actions are in retaliation for her union activities, a charge the district has denied.

After months of dispute and two strike threats, the union and district signed a new contract two weeks ago. Bruce said yesterday the issue of extracurricular duty pay for teachers still is unresolved.

As for Dresmich, the board has several options including lifting the suspension, defining the number of days she will be suspended or dismissing her from her job, Bruce said.

Dresmich could then take the case to arbitration and could seek back pay for the days she was suspended, Bruce said.

Walt Michalski, staff representative for the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers, declined to say what step the union might take in the issue.

'There is no question that the union will defend her and stand by her with every legal tool available,' Michalski said.

Michalski said the charges against Dresmich are baseless.

Dresmich has said previously the latest suspension stems from phone calls she made to the home of Anita Write, a district secretary who also works at Armstrong. Dresmich said she spoke to Wright about statements made in a complaint leading to a ten-day suspension that ended Wednesday.

Susan Schmeichel can be reached at sschmeichel@tribweb.com or (412) 306-4527.