SCRANTON, Pa. — Charges have been dropped against two Scranton School District employees, facing allegations of wrongdoing related to lead and asbestos in some district schools.
The former head of the district had all 38 felony charges, and 21 of the 24 misdemeanor charges against her withdrawn by the Pennsylvania attorney general's office. The remaining charges are 3 counts of reckless endangerment.
Former superintendent Alexis Kirijan was accused of knowing about lead and asbestos problems in city schools and doing nothing to keep students safe.
Kirijan waived her right to a preliminary hearing and will apply for a program for first-time offenders that will likely keep her out of jail.
The attorney general also dropped all charges against former district Chief Operating Officer Jeff Brazil and maintenance supervisor Joseph Slack.
Both were accused of endangering the welfare of children by doing nothing to correct the lead and asbestos problems in city schools.
All three were hit with those criminal charges back in September. They were filed based on the findings of a grand jury investigating the Scranton School District.
The attorney general said that Slack and Brazil are cooperating, and they have provided additional information in the investigation.
In a statement, the AG's office said:
"Our office brought these matters to light even before our investigation was complete because of our responsibility to public health and safety. Risky and drawn out litigation is not the only tool at our Office's disposal. Two of our defendants, Mr. Slack and Brazil, have since cooperated with our investigation and provided additional information. It is clear there were significant shortcomings by the former leaders of the school district."
The current superintendent said in a statement to Newswatch 16: "Now that this phase of the investigation is complete, the district can begin to move forward."
Rosemary Boland represents the teachers in the school district and was going to serve as a witness in this case.
"Something happened that they dropped everything today. What it means, I don't know. I know there is a call in for me to meet with the Attorney General's office sometime next week. My members are concerned of course. So when I have that meeting, I suspect I'll be given more information," said Boland.
Taxpayer Bruno Milo says this is the least of his worries with the school district.
"I'm not surprised. Who knows what kind of evidence they had against them, you know? Not surprised it's the Scranton School District. It's corrupt, so who knows, There's probably some backroom deals going on."