A Pennsylvania teachers' union will begin paying the $84,000 salary plus benefits of its president — who has not taught classes since taking that post in 2009 — instead of the school district.
The Morning Call says the move comes in wake of a lawsuit filed last year by a former Allentown School Board member. The suit contends the district is owed $1.3 million in pay and benefits for union President Debbie Tretter.
Tretter became president and under a 25-year-old practice was relieved of her teaching duties, but still paid by the district, so she could handle union duties full-time. The lawsuit contends that violates laws prohibiting public resources, like school taxes, from being spent on private organizations, like teachers' unions.
The agreement for the union to pay Tretter going forward doesn't settle the lawsuit.
