Williamsport district wants to terminate educator acquitted of sexual misconduct charges.
Updated: Apr. 23, 2025, 8:02 p.m.WILLIAMSPORT — An amicable resolution has been reached on whether an attorney can be present if five female former students testify at a private disciplinary hearing for the teacher a Lycoming County school district wants to terminate.
Attorneys for the Williamsport Area School District and the former students confirmed a resolution Wednesday but said the details are confidential. Thus, it is not known if the five will testify at the hearing for Christopher P. Yoder, and if they do, will their attorney be present. The attorneys also would not confirm if the arbitration hearing will take place on Monday and Tuesday as originally scheduled.and a district judge dismissing a third set following a preliminary hearing. The five alleged victims are needed to testify because they have material knowledge of crucial facts, the district stated in its court petition to enforce their subpoenas. The females, who are now adults, say they do not wish to testify but would if their attorney was in attendance. When the district became aware that they would seek to have their subpoenas squashed if they were not represented, it filed aThe district did not object to their attorney’s attendance, but the arbitrator Jane Rigler would not permit him because she views arbitration as a private means of resolving disputes. Yoder, who is challenging the termination effort, requested a private hearing as is permitted by the district’s contract with the Williamsport Area Education Association.with failing to comply with Pennsylvania school laws. The district accuses him of immorality, incompetency, intemperance, cruelty, persistent negligence of duties and willful neglect of duties. Guilt under the school code is by preponderance of the evidence, not beyond a reasonable doubt as in criminal cases.the district, Williamsport High and Middle schools, and Mel Mitstifer, a teacher who is accused of doing nothing to prevent the alleged abuse. Allegations about Yoder’s conduct between 2011 and 2021 contained in the civil complaint are similar to those in criminal charges and the district’s notice of charges against him. They include: Viewed nude photos on a then 13-year-old’s phone in 2011-2012 with the relationship advancing to flirting, fondling in his classroom, oral sex and intercourse. Exploited a 10th grader in 2017-18 during her parents’ divorce by fondling her feet, telling her to wear revealing clothing and attempting to solicit a nude photo from her. Targeted a 10th grader in 2020 by making comments about his genitalia, drawing on her thigh in class, secretly adding himself to her Snapchat account and sending her sexually explicit messages. Made repeated sexual comments in 2020 to another 10th grader about her body and suggesting she wear a low-cut dress to prom. Yoder did not testify in any of the criminal court proceedings, but through his attorney denied any wrongdoing.
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