School board fires teacher, not saying why

SHARON, Pa. -- The city school board has fired a teacher but didn't say why. The board voted 7-1 Tuesday to dismiss Gail K. Muhammad, an elementary teacher.
She was suspended without pay in early January after an administrative investigation of her conduct, according to the motion to dismiss her.
The motion said Muhammad declined to have a hearing before the board and opted to have the action against her submitted to an independent arbiter. Dr. Donna DeBonis, superintendent, recommended Muhammad's dismissal, citing an undisclosed "statement of charges" against her.
Atty. Todd Park, representing the Pennsylvania State Education Association and Muhammad, said no date has been set for the arbitration nor has an arbiter been picked.
He declined to reveal the nature of the charges against Muhammad, whom he said has been a teacher in Sharon for three or four years.
School Director Lora Adams-King voted against the dismissal. Directors Melvin Bandzak, Dominick Russo, Pamela Corini, Christopher Gavin, Daniel Gill, Sandra Hoover and Richard Mancino voted in favor.
Director Kathy Hall was absent.