Westmoreland County teacher accused of inappropriate contact with student steps down from role

LIGONIER, Pa. — A Ligonier Valley school teacher suspected of exchanging inappropriate messages, potentially with a student, has officially resigned from his position with the district.

Channel 11 first told you about the investigation last week, but the school board’s move to accept the teacher’s retirement and resignation in a 6-3 vote Wednesday was not well received by everyone in the room.

“It’s almost as if it’s a slap in the face to the kids that are speaking up,” one parent said.

“Even the simple fact that a middle school teacher is under these scrutinous charges, this is a no-brainer. I don’t know why it’s even being discussed,” another Ligonier resident said.

PREVIOUS STORY >> Westmoreland County teacher under investigation, suspected of sending inappropriate texts to student

The teacher has not been criminally charged. Ligonier Valley Police said they are waiting on search warrants from the Attorney General’s Office.

Despite an active police investigation, the school board said, it doesn’t change its decision on a teacher’s will to leave.

“The action taken by the Ligonier Valley School District was a ministerial action to accept the resignation vote from a teacher,” solicitor Dennis Rafferty said.

Those who did speak out to the board questioned whether or not the teacher will still be collecting a pension despite the allegations.

“There are people involved that are still investigating this case, so why would you reward him for something he probably doesn’t deserve?,” a parent questioned.

Rafferty said, “The question regarding pension is not a question for the Ligonier Valley School District, it’s a question for the state of Pennsylvania.”

Rafferty said under the Educator Misconduct Act, the district is required to report any investigative information to the state’s Public School Employee Retirement System (PSERS).

DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts

“It was put in effect, specifically, so that no one would benefit from an early exit in the face of things like this,” Rafferty said.

Channel 11 reached out to the state for comment.

PSERS said it couldn’t comment on specific criminal cases, but rules outlined in the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act say a teacher’s pension could be forfeited depending on the nature of the crimes committed.

There’s no word as to how long it could take for the state to make that determination if charges are filed and there’s a conviction.

Former police officer who tracked estranged wife’s car pleads guilty to stalking