Scott Foster explained that his dismissal was unfair and unjust.

A case involving a terminated teacher in 2023 came to the floor of this month’s Warren County School Board meeting.

Julia Foster previously addressed the board earlier in the year about a lack of transparency regarding an internal investigation. Foster wanted to know who on the board was part of that investigation, which was about her husband, Scott Foster’s dismissal from teaching at Eisenhower school.

She started out by saying despite what Superintendent Gary Weber has said about being unaware of the widespread social media being used in the district, the district has been asking for private social media responses through Facebook, such as the “How Cool is Your School?” event.

Addressing Weber, Foster said, “You misled board members when you said Scott treated this student differently. Scott treated his students all the same.

“This administration also withheld a character letter when it didn’t fit your narrative of him. You stated in his dismissal letter it was ‘potential grooming behavior.’ You had no right or evidence to make that false statement in a document that now has to falsely reside in his employee file.”

Foster stated the school’s counsel told the union that dismissal was too harsh.

Stating that two men from the union at Eisenhower sat down with then Superintendent Amy Stewart, she said the district’s stance on her husband would not change.

Still, Foster said before his dismissal, the union found an email that had been left on the copy machine which had the concerns that he had addressed with administration time and time again with no response.

Stating that it was withheld from the union, Foster assumed it was withheld from the school board. Foster also remarked that the student made no accusations of any inappropriate behavior of her husband. She said that Pennsylvania State Police said there was nothing to investigate.

Foster pointed out that there was no criminal investigation and that her husband was able to get his clearances. “We have four kids and if there were any allegations of concern we would have been notified by (County Youth Service) or the police and we were not. The district knew they had nothing and continued with the deception.”

Foster went on that she received a letter from Weber about her online posts suggesting a lawsuit unless she stopped talking. He would then consider the matter resolved.

She then urged board members who had already heard the case to ask if the documents she was providing that night were given to them in order to base their decision for dismissal.

“A decision on someone’s dismissal can’t be done accurately on this deception.”

Saying that there were staff that were not properly investigated and that the district made false claims against her husband. “This deceit has caused great distress on our family, our kids in Eisenhower, and a financial hardship on our family unjustly.” Stating that the state department of Education, Foster said to the board, that they have full authority to remove Mr. Weber. “Please hold those accountable for their actions. I’m asking for Mr. Weber’s dismissal. Please call Union Reps Mark Napolitan and Phil Heubach and get to the bottom of this deception and right this wrong.”

Foster then handed documents to new board President, Robert Cook.

Next, Scott Foster spoke about how teachers put students’ best interest first and that he has a great vested interest since his own children attend Eisenhower school.

“As all teachers do, I would have made sure that children are cared for, guided, protected, nurtured and disciplined when needed since they are the future.” He thanked his wife in her fight for proving that he was unfairly dismissed.

Greatly disappointed in how unfair his case was, he talked about the events of his dismissal. Foster stated a student had contacted him through social media, and that he had known the student prior to having this student in class. On Oct. 15, 2023, the student sent him a message about having been involved in underage drinking.

Foster said, “I felt convicted to help this student.”

On Monday, Oct. 16, he reported this to the school administration immediately, “as I had done numerous times, hoping to receive guidance. My concerns and notifications fell on deaf ears again and again, with contradicting claims in the dismissal letter.”

He was told not to worry and put on a leave, claiming that he remained professional in his duties while on leave, updating grades online as well as providing lesson plans for substitutes. A training was agreed upon between the union and Foster but denied by the administration. Terminated on Dec. 21, 2023, Foster said that written statements and rumors were spread. Foster said he quoted Stewart: “Mr. Foster was not engaging in behavior consistent with patterns of grooming.”

Stewart’s statement contradicts what Weber put in the dismissal letter.

“The administration, in this case, has failed our students,” he said. “They did not help this student and they removed a highly respected educator and a coach with 16 years of experience that is certified in kindergarten through sixth grade and technology education. One that the students knew they could count on, one who put them first and made sure they knew they mattered above all else.

“I am not what I have been characterized in the blatant attack-filled dismissal letter, all of which was fabricated to dismiss me. The student reached out in a time of need”

Expecting that a proper investigation be done, Foster claimed that it was not the case for him. “This result has greatly impacted my family, mentally and financially. We’ve struggled these past two years, and for what?”

Saying that the dismissal should not have been the outcome, Foster asked the board to review his case and hold the appropriate people accountable and remove the dishonest dismissal letter from his employee file. Two of the Foster children also read letters, describing their father’s character, worrying that he may not be able to teach again and missing him at school.

School board members did not respond to the comments.

According to the school district policy, Section 01000 Foundations and Basic Commitments Title Maintaining Professional Adult/Student Boundaries, Code 1217, IV. Exceptions, “An emergency situation or a legitimate educational reason may justify deviation from professional boundaries set out in this Policy.”