SHARON SCHOOLS Teacher reinstated after chemical-incident firing

SHARON, Pa. (AP) -- A teacher fired for dousing two students and a colleague with liquid nitrogen has been returned to his job by a state arbiter.
Scott Griffis, of Lake Latonka, was accused of pouring liquid nitrogen, which has a temperature of minus-320 degrees Fahrenheit, on colleague Lois Schneider's head in June 2005.
She was treated for blistering around her neck and shoulders.
Police also learned that the Sharon School District chemistry teacher had poured or thrown the liquid on two 16-year-old students.
Griffis said he tossed small amounts of the liquid nitrogen into the air as part of a demonstration and had done so in the past with no problems.
"If I had known anyone would get hurt, I would not have done it in the first place," he said. "I'll have to be more careful with my demonstrations and the other things I do."
Three simple assault charges were withdrawn, and the remaining reckless endangerment charges will be dismissed if Griffis completes a special probationary program for first-time offenders.
Griffis was fired last June, but an arbiter ordered him reinstated in April.
Acting Superintendent Michael J. Calla said the board believed the firing was appropriate but would abide by the arbiter's decision.
"I still have no idea what prompted this bizarre act," Schneider said. "I'm disappointed and disillusioned with the Department of Education and the legal system in Pennsylvania."
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