Watkins Glen school lawsuit dismissed

WATKINS GLEN--A lawsuit filed by the Watkins Glen Faculty Association against the Watkins Glen School District and Superintendent Greg Kelahan regarding the possibility of faculty with preexisting medical conditions working remotely was dismissed in the district's favor Wednesday, Oct. 21 by New York State Supreme Court Justice Christopher Baker.
According to union officials the lawsuit, which was originally filed on Oct. 1, was brought forth by the union after a teacher requested the ability to work remotely and had their request denied.
"We are satisfied that Judge Baker recognizes the district's implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and that we have worked to support the needs of staff members in a reasonable manner," said Kelahan in a prepared statement.
According to district officials, the court clearly ruled in favor of the district.
"The court ruled in the district's favor. The district was well within state guidelines in their response to the individual," said Carla Allen, a community information specialist constructed to work for the district through BOCES.
When first informed by the individual who filed the lawsuit that they wished to work from home, Allen said the district offered several options instead.
"Those options were declined and instead with the teachers union they chose to take the district to court," Allen said.
With the lawsuit resolved, Allen said the district can now shift its attention solely to issues related to student instruction.