Edison pursues tenure charges against 3 teachers

EDISON (AP) — Edison's school board has decided to pursue tenure charges against three teachers who are accused of online chats that disparaged special education students and colleagues.

Tyler Van Pelt and Maryellen Lechelt teach at the Lincoln Elementary School. Maria Weber is a special education teacher at James Monroe Elementary School.

Officials say the teachers were training to use new technology in October when they allegedly engaged in an online chat in which they insulted special education students and speculated on their colleagues' sex lives. The chat was accessible to anyone in the district.

The Home News Tribune reports parent Anthony DePasquale told the board everyone makes mistakes, but the teachers should be held accountable.

The teachers will be suspended without pay while their cases go to a state arbitrator.

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