Aliquippa school board member resigns after reportedly threatening students

ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — The actions of an Aliquippa school board member are the focus of a police investigation.

Parents of two seventh grade students told police Aileen Gilbert threatened to assault their children with a pair of scissors.

“If that had been my kid, there would have been trouble,” Sherry Matich said when told about the allegations.

Former students and parents were somewhat stunned by the accusations.

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According to police, the threat was brought to school officials earlier in the month. Gilbert allegedly made the threats inside a classroom at Aliquippa Junior High after becoming frustrated over an incident in the hallway involving a crying student. When she couldn’t get the students to name names, she reportedly threatened to stab them.

“I can tell you this is not a crime,” said Steve Valsamidis.

Valsamidis is an attorney representing Gilbert. He said it was a situation in which “tempers flared.”

Four years ago, Gilbert was charged and ultimately exonerated in a situation involving alleged failure to report child abuse.

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