Last Friday, the Rye City School District informed Osborn School teacher Carin Mehler that she would be back in the classroom this fall.

 

 

Last Friday, the Rye City School District informed Osborn School teacher Carin Mehler that she would be back in the classroom this fall. Mehler, one of four elementary school teachers accused of improperly coaching students during state tests over two years ago, has been assigned to Rye Middle School, where she will teach sixth-grade Social Studies.

 

 

In a public announcement on Monday, the District said, “We have made a determination not to pursue charges against Mrs. Mehler.” While the District did not go into the specifics of the case, in their statement, they explained their desire “to spare children the experience of being subpoenaed, testifying before a hearing officer, and being subjected to cross-examination by Mrs. Mehler’s attorney.”

 

 

Both the District and Mrs. Mehler said they were pleased that the matter has been concluded.

 

 

The District settled with the other three “reassigned” teachers last year. On June 4, a federal judge dismissed a suit brought by Mehler, charging that the School District had deprived her of “a protected property interest.” U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Seibel dismissed the case on the grounds that Mehler received her full salary and benefits throughout  her reassignment.