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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fired U-Hi teacher’s lawsuit reinstated

Fired teacher Michael Cronin’s lawsuit against the Central Valley School District has been reinstated by the Washington Court of Appeals, which also said Cronin may be eligible for four years of back pay.

Cronin, a former teacher at University High School, was accused of being drunk at school and inappropriately touching a female student and a female staff member.

He had multiple arrests for driving under the influence and charges for obstructing a police officer and resisting arrest. He served jail time in several of the cases. He has also had several restraining orders filed against him, including several by women he dated.

The school district fired him for a “pattern of misconduct” that negatively affected his ability to do his job in January 2012. At the time Cronin was in jail and asked his union representative to act on his behalf in appealing his termination.

The district said Cronin had to file an appeal of his firing himself and said the request made by the union representative wasn’t valid. A Superior Court judge agreed and dismissed the lawsuit.

This is the second time the Court of Appeals has reversed a decision made in Superior Court to dismiss the lawsuit. The court ordered that Cronin be granted a statutory hearing with the district to appeal his firing.

Cronin stated in court documents that he believes he is entitled to back pay and benefits even if his firing is upheld because he was never granted the hearing he requested. The Court of Appeals opinion states: “Cronin may be correct.”

“There’s a due process right for a teacher to remain on pay until a statutory hearing can be held,” said Cronin’s attorney, Larry Kuznets.

His client is pleased by the court decision ordering a hearing, Kuznets said. “That’s what he wanted,” he said. “He’s gotten to where we wanted to be four years ago.”

The school district has 30 days to appeal the court’s decision. District spokeswoman Marla Nunberg said district officials are considering their options.

“Obviously we as the district are disappointed in the latest Court of Appeals decision,” she said.