JERSEY SHORE - The Jersey Shore Area School Board announced it will vote on disciplinary action for district Superintendent Richard Emery, relating to charges of driving while under the influence of alcohol, at its Tuesday meeting.
The board is expected to vote on a 15-day suspension without pay for Emery. If approved, the suspension would run from May 22 to June 12. The board also would require Emery to hold an assembly for all district students to speak about the incident, if he is found guilty of the charges.
Emery is facing two misdemeanor charges and three summary offenses after a traffic stop by state police in Turbot Township on April 30. The charges include allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.16 or above.
A press release from the school board said it expects no further action on the matter once the vote takes place and expects Emery to return to his duties once the suspension is completed.
The release also said Emery's actions deserve "a significant punishment."
Robert Pryor, board president, said the matter was handled like all personnel matters in executive session.
"Matters such as this we discuss in executive session. We have to respect all of our employees - top to bottom," Pryor said.
Although Pryor said there were some who wanted the board to take immediate action, the board waited until they could collect the facts. He said it wanted to make a "rational" decision.
"We don't just react to public outcries," he said.
Pryor also echoed the press release that once the decision is made at Tuesday's meeting, the board will have no further comment on the matter.
"Everybody makes mistakes, some are caught and some aren't but it's not good to do," Pryor said. "All of us make poor decisions but as far as Mr. Emery running the district he has done a very good job and the board has been happy with him."
Emery's preliminary hearing will be held May 30 before District Judge Richard P. Cashman, of Sunbury.
The board meeting is scheduled to be in the district's administration building at 7 p.m. May 29.
Emery did not return phone calls seeking comment.
