Embattled Edina teacher won't return to old school

An Edina teacher who was investigated after she got into a scuffle with an unruly first-grade student and communicated with parents about it will not return to the same classroom.

Deborah York, speaking publicly for the first time since the investigation began last fall, said she has been reassigned to another elementary school.

"I feel like I'm being punished," said York, who has taught first grade at Countryside Elementary since the late 1990s.

Her new assignment will be teaching second grade at Concord Elementary. She also indicated that her health could impede her return.

Edina Public Schools officials, in a written statement issued recently, said they've resolved the case involving York and the result is "no disciplinary action was taken against any employee."

School leaders say they won't release other details of the investigation, completed by NeuVest, a private company hired by the district.

School districts reserve the right to reassign teachers, and it's not uncommon for them to do so before the start of the school year. Superintendent Ric Dressen said Wednesday that the decision to reassign York was not a punishment.

"We felt it was in the best interest for all parties that Mrs. York be moved to Concord Elementary," he said. "She's a great teacher. She brings a great set of skills so we think it's going to be an asset to Concord Elementary and it's going to be a good thing for the district and for our students."

'Resolution was delayed'

It took the better part of the school year to resolve the matter because it was a sensitive case, he said.

"Due to the sensitivity of the investigation and the involved data privacy of employees and students, the required resolution was delayed," the district statement said. "Both district administration and Education Minnesota/Edina leadership are working to improve this process for the future."

At issue was whether York broke state law in disclosing information about the student with whom she had an altercation that November day at Countryside.

York sent an e-mail to classroom parents that talked about restoring a safe environment in the classroom and informed them that she had been hurt in the accident. She did not name the boy in the e-mail.

York's attorney, Marshall Tanick, called the resolution a vindication. "We are pleased that this long investigatory process led to a determination of no discipline," he said. "We feel that there wasn't even a need for this investigation."

York hasn't taught since Nov. 9, the day she got into the scuffle with the boy.

A push, then scuffle

Tanick said the boy had pushed a classmate into a desk, and York sent the other students into the hallway while she tried to deal with the boy's behavior.

As she tried to talk to him, the situation escalated and York lifted a chair to fend off the boy, who then pushed her, Tanick has said. As a result, the teacher sprained her neck and back. She was on sick leave when she found out the district had placed her on administrative leave, her lawyer said.

Soon after the district commissioned an investigation of York's communications.

Dozens of parents whose children have been taught by York subsequently launched a petition drive calling for her reinstatement and held a rally outside Countryside Elementary one frigid December afternoon.

York remained on medical leave for the rest of the school year. A long-term substitute teacher took over the class. District officials added a classroom aide in response to parents' concerns about safety and order.

The student left the school last school year.

Shocked at not coming back

York broke months of public silence in an interview Tuesday and expressed dismay about the past seven months.

"I don't feel the truth has come out," she said of the incident and ensuing investigation. "The whole thing was about safety. I think I stood up for safety and I was concerned about a safety situation."

She praised the local teachers' union for its help, and noted that she filed a grievance after the school district placed a letter in her file.

York said she was shocked when she learned this summer that she won't be going back to Countryside, where her two sons also attended.

"Countryside, that's been my family for years," she said.

She plans to teach again, and said she would like to return to the Edina Public Schools this fall but added that she doesn't know if she will be healthy enough.

York said she had knee surgery in June and will likely need neck surgery. She said she believes both injuries stem from the Nov. 9 incident.

Allie Shah • 612-673-4488