Comment #1

paradisenow — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:37:23 GMT

What she did not have a Car?? Bad Teacher!!!

Original Blog Entry: Teacher fired for having sex in classrooms

truesee — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:37:22 GMT

McKeesport board fires teacher suspended for classroom sex

Chris Ramirez

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Friday, February 25, 2011

The McKeesport Area School Board this week fired a fourth-grade teacher who admitted to having sex in classrooms.

Angela DiBattista, 55, taught at Cornell Intermediate School but was suspended by the district in 2006 on immorality charges that stemmed from a yearslong affair she had with another teacher.

The board's 6-0 vote Wednesday upheld a recommendation by a hearing officer to fire her. School Directors Mark Holtzman and Christopher Halaszynski were absent. Director Patricia Maksin, a former president of the district's teachers union and a witness during DiBattista's hearing, abstained.

DiBattista and her attorney, Charles LoPresti of Pleasant Hills, could not be reached Thursday.

The issue is now behind the district. We're not concerned about anything else regarding this matter, district Solicitor Gary Matta said. Hopefully, Ms. DiBattista has moved on with her life. This was an unfortunate incident for all the parties involved.

DiBattista requested a public dismissal hearing after she was accused of having sex with fellow teacher Patrick Collins and was suspended without pay.

During the hearings, which occurred in several sessions last year, LoPresti said his client carried on a long affair with Collins, also a former president of the local teachers union.

Collins testified he had sex with DiBattista in classrooms on several occasions until their affair ended in 2004. No students were in the classrooms at the time, according to testimony.

DiBattista later accused Collins of harassing her. She testified against Collins in his disciplinary hearing, but he was absolved of charges. He retired in 2006 with a $53,000 benefits package and his teaching certificate. She was offered a retirement package, but declined.

DiBattista can appeal the board's decision to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Read more: McKeesport board fires teacher suspended for classroom sex - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_724562.html?_s_icmp=NetworkHeadlines#ixzz1FDXqWCRR

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