Letter to the editor:

So let me understand this ... Lehighton Area School Board hires a new attorney from a BIG law firm which advises the current school board (at their very first meeting under reorganization) to terminate their previously granted superintendent’s employment “contract extension” because they say it violates Pennsylvania school code. But this contract was obviously approved by the school district’s previous legal counsel, giving those sitting board members what they felt was good advice.

Now in lieu of amicably sitting down with all parties involved (including contacting the previous school district attorney to ask what his interpretation was of the school code with which he suggested the contract “extension”) they use their current lawyer’s advice to terminate the superintendent’s employment.

In addition, the business administrator advises the school board that this will cost the district money, alluding to a potential lawsuit and STILL calmer minds and prudent decisions don’t prevail. Now the filed lawsuit enjoins the board members who made this decision but they will be represented by an army of attorneys all paid by the school district! It was once said that “If there was one attorney in town he would starve … but once there are two they feed each other.”

Interpretation of the school code by the current or past school boards and their legal counsel should NOT immediately open up the taxpayers to this litigation and substantial financial exposure. Whether you voted for a board member who campaigned because “we want to help the kids” or “we will lower taxes” they are wasting this money in court and benefit no one!

Don’t we deserve better from this school board or at the very least good guidance from their NEW law firm which certainly will see a huge increase in THEIR billable hours from this illogical advice?

Joe Bennett

Lehighton