COUDERSPORT, PA – Approximately 50 people showed up on a cold, windy Nov. 6, at the public hearing regarding whether or not Lisa Bretz, a Potter County resident, would remain in her elected position on the Coudersport School Board. Judge Thomas James, from Montour County, presided over the hearing, and swore in the Petitioner, Ellin Kightlinger, and the Respondent, Lisa Bretz. 

The courtroom was split between approximately 12 people on the right and 40 people on the left. 

Commissioners Nancy Grupp and Robert Rossman were present, and seated on the right. No attorneys were present. 

The judge outlined the case, and said that he would apply the facts of the matter to the law in order to make his decision. The facts were stated as such:

1. There were three Facebook posts made by Lisa Bretz, as evidenced by Exhibit B, which the judge retained.
2. Bretz admitted that she had posted said posts.
3. Kightlinger stated that the posts were, “Promoting violence,” and violated “ethical and moral” standards.
4. Bretz countered that she had, “been a school teacher for 36 years,” as her professional background, and that the posts did not negate that fact. 
5. Kightlinger went on to say that Bretz had “posted the petition online in retaliation…to intimidate people,” to which Judge James responded, “You can see that nobody here is intimidated. There are a lot of people here.”
6. Bretz then made a motion to dismiss the case, which was denied by Judge James without prejudice.

The hearing then progressed to the legal argument phase, in which Judge James brought up the law involved in the case, which is as follows: 

Pennsylvania law, specifically section 3–3.18-19 of the School Code, outlines the process for removing a school board member for refusing or neglecting a mandatory duty. Any ten resident taxpayers can file a petition with the county court of common pleas, which will then issue a rule for the directors to show cause why they should not be removed. If the court finds the petition is valid, it has the power to remove the board members and appoint replacements. 

Judge James then said that this statute would trump any local School Board policy.

Kightlinger went on to say that Bretz had promoted “hateful rhetoric,” which was a “violation of district policy,” and that Bretz had violated the policy’s statement on, “moral character, respect…integrity, and sound judgment.”

Kightlinger also argued that Bretz had violated the PA Code for Educators, which places a “high esteem on human rights and dignity,” to which the judge responded that there was no definition included in the Code that made Bretz a current “Educator.” 

Kightlinger concluded by saying that, “We should be putting the students first,” and that Bretz’s behavior was “…hateful and divisive…The fact of the matter is that her statements were inappropriate.”

Judge James then asked Kightlinger pointedly what specific act that Bretz had “refused or neglected” to do as a School Board Member.

Kightlinger did not respond.

Judge James went on to say that this matter at hand was extremely important, because if he ruled in Kightlinger’s favor and had Bretz removed from the School Board, it would have a “ripple effect” on other elected official positions, and that’s why there is such a “high standard for removal.”

Judge James continued that it was “indisputable,” that Bretz had made a bad decision, and then held up the petition, which 136 people from the community had signed. Judge James said that “Kids–and adults–put stupid things on social media,” and that it, “wasn’t the brightest post,” but that there was a lesson to be learned to be “extra careful” about what I post on social media.”

Judge James then reiterated that the facts were undisputed and thanked the gallery for being “respectful and attentive,” and said that he would make a decision, in “a day or so.”

When asked after the hearing how she felt about it, Deb Plummer said, “When I saw that there were over 200 comments on the post that were hateful and divisive…there was an overwhelming response, and it was ridiculous. Lisa does a great job, and this is a horrible mar on her excellent career.”

Another person, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Freedom of speech doesn’t count in this town.” The person said that they didn’t want to be named because, “Then they’ll come after me.”

Art Metzger and Don Kudrick had no comment on the matter. Robert Rossman had not responded to an inquiry for a comment by press time.

Updates will be posted on this matter as they arise.