Peters Twp. Teacher Faces $40K Raise While Banned From Classroom Over Sex Allegations
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A Peters Township High School teacher is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student nearly 20 years ago, in another state.
When the Peters Township School District learned about it a couple of years ago, they fired the teacher.
But an arbitrator has ordered the district to continue to pay the teacher, even though the district won't allow him back in class.
Peters Township High School math teacher Christopher Whalen is accused of having a romantic relationship with a 16-year-old student in 1997.
The allegations didn't surface until 2012. Peters Township Schools fired him.
"There was an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old student … I believe it was a sexual one," said Peters Township Schools solicitor Jocelyn Kramer.
But the union fought the firing and an arbitrator says the district has to take Whalen back because they relied on old allegations that they can't use. So they're paying him while he sits at home.
"Our hands are tied under the law," said Kramer. "And that's why I'm attempting to go back and have the arbitrators' decision vacated."
If the courts don't overturn the arbitrator, the district could continue to pay him indefinitely. Worse, they could be ordered to return Whalen to the classroom. Whalen has thousands of reasons to fight for his job.
"He's due for a $40,000 raise," said Kramer. "He'll be up over $100,000."
That raise could come in September. Meantime, the district won't even get into court with Whalen until December.
The teachers and the district are also trying to agree on a new contract before a strike deadline comes at the end of the month.
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