A fourth grader in the Wissahickon School District named Charlie, went before the Board of Directors on Tuesday evening and made a heartfelt plea to the board to return his beloved teacher to the classroom.
The district isn’t commenting on why Judi Harris was removed from her position at Stoney Creek Elementary School in early March, but Charlie’s mother told the board during its March 20th meeting she believes it was her fault.
Amy Ostroff claims her mistake led to disciplinary action against Harris.
Ostroff told the board that when Harris learned that she and her husband were traveling out of the country for two weeks in February and leaving Charlie at home with a housekeeper, Harris offered to take him to dinner as a special treat to cheer him up.
Ostroff says she told Harris it was a great idea and sent an email to Harris giving her permission for Charlie to stay after school and be transported in a car by Harris.
Ostroff says she forgot to copy the school’s principal, Gary Abbamont, and it led to Harris’ suspension for not following proper protocol.
“I am most upset to think that my mistake has caused Miss Harris to be in this situation, especially considering she was helping my child out of the kindness of her heart," Ostroff told board members.
Even though the District Solicitor, Michael O'Hara Peale, Jr., stated the board would not comment on personnel issues, the passionate pleas continued.
"Judi Harris is by far the best teacher that Stoney Creek Elementary has. She's an absolute joy," said parent Andrew Moore during the March meeting.
Peale reiterated to NBC10.com by phone, that the district could not comment on personnel issues. Harris' attorney, Lynn Abraham of Archer & Greiner, P.C., also told NBC10 she and her client had no comment.
But the parents would not be silenced and again, they lined up at the podium at the start of the April 17th school board meeting.
One of the most compelling pleas came from Charlie, "We used to be a team with Miss H. It's much different now, we all miss Miss H. We all love Miss H. She was the best teacher i ever had. Please let her finish being my teacher," Charlie told the board.
Again, board members stated they could not comment on Harris’ employment situation.
Harris’ future with the district remains unclear. The recent school board meetings and testimony concerning Harris can be viewed on the Wissahickon School District Website.
