NEW CASTLE, PA. School janitor charged in burglary fired

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A custodian at George Washington Intermediate School has been dismissed over accusations of burglarizing a furniture warehouse.
New Castle school board members voted 8-0 Thursday to fire John Jacobs after reviewing details of his November arrest by New Castle police. Board member Joe Farris was not at the meeting.
Jacobs is accused of burglary, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy. Charges are still pending in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.
Schools Solicitor Thomas Piccione said a hearing was held last week and Jacobs was present with his attorney. It was a private hearing at Jacobs' request.
School board members were given police reports and the affidavit of probable cause filed by New Castle police against Jacobs.
Piccione said school board members based their decision on the affidavit, which stated that Jacobs confessed to police that he burglarized the furniture warehouse Nov. 22 and attempted a second burglary on another date.
There is a provision in the school code that allows the district to fire people for improper conduct.
Jacobs had been suspended with pay after his Nov. 22 arrest.