JERSEY SHORE - The Jersey Shore Area School Board announced it will vote Tuesday night on disciplinary action for district Superintendent Richard Emery relating to charges of driving while under the influence of alcohol.
The board is expected to vote on a 15-day suspension without pay for Emery at the May 19 meeting. 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 currently is facing two misdemeanor charges and three summary offenses after a traffic stop by state police in Turbot Township, Northumberland County, on April 30.
Police allege Emery had a blood-alcohol content of 0.16 when he was stopped.
A press release from the school board said it expects no further action on the matter once the vote takes place and the board expects Emery to return to his duties once the suspension is completed.
The release said Emery's actions deserve "a significant punishment."
Robert Pryor, school board president, said the matter is being 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 want the board to take immediate action, the board waited until it could collect the facts.
He said the board wants to make a "rational" decision.
"We don't just react to public outcries," he said.
Pryor said that, once the decision is made at Tuesday night'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 is to be held May 30 before District Judge Richard P. Cashman of Sunbury.
The board meeting is scheduled to be held in the district administration building at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Emery did not return phone calls seeking comment.
