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Morrissey and The Smiths cover band Sons and Heirs returns to Jim Thorpe’s Mauch Chunk Opera House April 23

Marywood University sheds 10 faculty members hired in fall, evoking criticism

WILKES-BARRE &#8212; If five GAR teachers suspended with pay were drinking alcohol on school property as some sources contend, they were apparently not violating the state school code. But, in twist of bureaucracy that&#8217;s almost Orwellian, if caught, their actions &#8212; though legal &#8212; would have to be reported.District officials have declined to give details about the matter, though sources say the teachers were suspended either for drinking alcohol before chaperoning a junior high dance or for drinking while supervising the event. Superintendent Bernard Prevuznak said he expects to be able to provide more information some time Wednesday.Asked if the matter could lead to involvement of law enforcement and possible charges, Prevuznak said he didn&#8217;t think so. And while any drinking could result in charges such as public drunkenness, there are many rules spelled out in the state school code that expressly apply to incidents on school property. Adult drinking, it seems, is not one of them.Both Pennsylvania School Boards Association Senior Director of Communications Steve Robinson and Pennsylvania Department of Education Spokeswoman Nicole Reigelman said they could find no state law explicitly barring adults from drinking on school property.&#8220;There are no laws that we are aware of that make it illegal for adults to consume alcohol on school property,&#8221; Robinson wrote in an email, adding that many districts may have policies banning it. Drinking on school property may be illegal in general &#8212; &#8220;such as if an adult had an open container of alcohol in a vehicle,&#8221; he added, &#8220;but it&#8217;s not illegal because it is taking place on school property. It would be illegal no matter where you are.&#8221;Reigelman echoed that idea, though she noted parts of the school code do require discovery of anyone drinking or smoking on school property must be reported to the state.&#8220;There are provisions that relate to reporting of incidents involving alcohol and tobacco,&#8221; she wrote, &#8220;but those provisions are not an explicit prohibition.&#8221;<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Mark Guydishmguydish@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish</shirttailMeta></div>

If GAR teachers were drinking in school, it was apparently legal but must be reported