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Former principal appeals dismissal
Photo
Lee V. McFerren, Principal of Farrell, Pa. High School.
staff report
FARRELL, Pa. — The former principal at Farrell High School, fired in July, will appeal the dismissal at a state Department of Education hearing.
Lee V. McFerren was fired in a school board vote of 7-2. The board heard testimony during a lengthy dismissal hearing in the spring that was public at McFerren’s request.
After the firing, McFerren had vowed to appeal. His attorney, Barbara Seman Ochs, said the hearing is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 15 in Harrisburg. She said she plans to call as a witness Lester Robinson, one of the two board members who voted to retain McFerren.
McFerren became principal at Farrell High in 2005. He said it was his understanding that he was to control discipline problems at the school. He also testified that he tried to get teachers to stop “acting like they were on vacation.” He said he tried to make it clear to them that they were to do their jobs and teach.
Staff members who testified portrayed McFerren as arrogant, confrontational, demeaning and even incompetent in his administrative duties.
Seman Ochs said she doesn’t expect a decision the day of the hearing.