Legal Question in Employment Law in Pennsylvania

Contract termination

I was an emergency permit teacher in a PA school district. When I took the job, everyone was aware that I would be finishing my Master's degree and therfore my Instructional I certification, making me Highly Qualified under NCLB. I took my remaining classes, and was reimbursed for them this year. Towards the end of the school year, i was informed that they had to interview for a certified teacher by law, but not to worry because they wanted me to stay. Needless to say, after school ended in June, i got a phone call telling me that i was out of a job. They called me at 5pm, the night OF the school board meeting where they would be hiring my replacement. To make matters MUCH worse, now the want all the money back for the classes I took, which is about 2400 dollars. I was told SEVERAL times by my direct supervisor that I had nothing to worry about, so I dodn't have a plan B ready. My question is: can I fight this? Can I avoid paying them this money back, when the classes I needed were for this job? I did not sign an agreement to pay them back, I only signed an exit interview paper. Any help that you could provide would be awesome..thanks


Asked on 7/30/07, 11:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Roger Traversa Arjont Group (Law Office of Roger Traversa)

Re: Contract termination

You asked questions about a job.

In general employment agreements must be in writing for employment that is expected to last for one year or longer. Where an employment is expected to last for less than a year, or year to year then an oral agreement should be enforceable.

Without an agreement otherwise, you would be entitled to retain all monies paid to you for whatever purpose throughout the period of your employment.

I suggest you retain counsel, you may have a claim for the breach of an oral agreement.

Regards,

Roger

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Answered on 7/31/07, 11:05 am


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