‘Mere negligence’: Court reinstates principal fired in Philly cheating scandal

Eag News reports:

A Philadelphia principal who was fired in connection with a standardized test cheating scandal may get her job back after a three-judge panel ruled in her favor Thursday.

The panel found no evidence that former Tilden Middle School principal Michelle Burns was involved in cheating discovered at the school and ruled her 2014 termination was an overly harsh punishment for “mere negligence,” Philly.com reports.

“Although the cheating which occurred at Tilden is abhorrent and must be rooted out, the arbitrator found only that Burns failed to uncover it and prevent it,” according to the Commonwealth Court ruling. “Thus, we cannot conclude an award reinstating an administrator after finding her guilty of mere negligence violates a fundamental public policy.”

The great moments of government schools.