Teachers suing to uncover allegations

PRIEST RIVER — Two Priest River Junior High School teachers are suing the West Bonner County School District to uncover unflattering allegations that were made against them by their colleagues.

Counsel for Martin Landry and Scott Salesky is a 1st District Court judge to force the district to fully disclose the allegations that were made. Coeur d’Alene attorney Arthur Bistline filed separate but identical lawsuits against the district on Sept. 30.

The school district does not respond to inquiries involving litigation.

The suits allege that certain, unspecified allegations were made against Landry and Salesky in May, which resulted in an investigation and the placement of letters in their respective personnel files. The letters, the suits claim, contained “false and defamatory” statements and accuse them of conduct incompatible with their profession.

The plaintiffs allege they were given an opportunity to rebut the allegations, but were unable to provide meaningful rebuttals because they were never provided details about the allegations. The district complied with requests for copies of the investigative report, although it was so heavily redacted that it was useless in aiding the formulation of a response to the allegations.

Moreover, plans for improvement were placed in their personnel files at the conclusion of the school year.

Bistline contends the information published in the file is reasonably expected to impact his clients’ economic opportunities.

The suits allege the district is in violation of a section of state law which enables employees to access all materials in their personnel files.

The respective suits seek damages in excess of $10,000 and attorney fees.