N.B. teacher given termination notice after Internet crime plea
By STAN MADDUX
Tribune Correspondent

NEW BUFFALO -- Unless he appeals, a New Buffalo teacher will automatically be fired after he admitted to criminal exchanges with a 15-year old female student on the Internet.

The New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education this week unanimously passed a resolution which started termination proceedings against John Hartley, who pleaded guilty to the allegations in court last week.

The board's decision was made at the recommendation of New Buffalo Area Schools Superintendent Michael Lindley.

Board President Art Lamport said the issue was discussed for about 30 minutes in closed session before the vote was taken in public during Monday night's regularly scheduled board meeting.

''It's an unusual thing. What prompted it I have no idea,'' Lamport said Tuesday.

Hartley now has 20 days to appeal the termination notice or he'll automatically be relieved of his job as social studies teacher at New Buffalo Middle School, said Lindley.

Under rules outlined by the Michigan Department of Education, an appeal would trigger a hearing before an independent administrative law judge for evidence to be presented from both sides. The judge would then make the final decision over his status as teacher.

Hartley is entitled to the appeals process because he's been a teacher in Michigan for more than four years. Specifically, he's taught in New Buffalo the past 25 years.

Hartley, 49, of Three Oaks pleaded guilty Oct. 14 in Berrien County Trial Court to contributing or attempting to contribute to the delinquency of a minor.

The misdemeanor offense is punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum $5,000 fine. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 12.

Hartley has been on a paid leave of absence from his teaching duties since the beginning of the 2003-04 school year, when the allegations first surfaced.

His attorney in the criminal case, Robert Landgraf, Jr. of Niles said Hartley is represented in the employment matter by the teachers union.

SBTrib