UNION - Five teachers are suing the Monroe Board of Education alleging the board continues to violate the state statute regarding the maximum teacher-pupil ratio.
Karen Bowden, Christine Cardinal, Ann Jamison, Jhanna Lively and Bonnie Walsh filed a lawsuit Sept. 12 in the Circuit Court of Monroe County against the Monroe County Board of Education, alleging they violate state statute by exceeding the maximum teacher-pupil ratio allowed in the statute.
According to the complaint, Cardinal, Lively and Walsh teach third grade at Peterstown Elementary School with 26 students each and Bowden and Jamison teach third grade at Mountain View Elementary School with 26 students each.
The complaint claims that the Monroe County Board of Education has paid the plaintiffs extra compensation for extra students in their classrooms, allegedly claiming that it is lawful to exceed the maximum number of students as long as extra compensation is paid.
The complaint states that state law only allows a maximum of 25 students per teacher in a third grade classroom and specifically prohibits over-sized classes.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaratory judgment against the Monroe County Board of Education to the effect that it has and continues to violate state statute, bar the board from assigning students in excess of the maximum ratio and an award of attorney's fees and costs. They are being represented in the case by William D. Turner of Richardson Law Firm, PLLC.
Monroe Co. Circuit Court Case No. 13-C-60.
Monroe Co. teachers say they have too many students
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