District Can Now Fire Teacher Accused Of Abusing Students Who Was Reportedly Paid Over $540K While Suspended

A New York school district received the clear to fire a teacher accused of abusing special education students, officials announced Monday.

Long Beach Middle School teacher Lisa Weitzman, 37, allegedly crushed students’ feet with her high heels, restrained students’ hands and ankles with zip ties, sprayed Lysol on students and sent them to the bathroom as a “time out,” Patch reported Monday.

Weitzman faced eight allegations, including incidents involving five former special needs students beginning in the 2012-2013 academic year. She denied the allegations, however, according to Newsday.

Long Beach Public Schools (LBPS) placed Weitzman on paid leave beginning November 2014 and reportedly paid her more than $540,000 by the middle of August 2018, Newsday reported.

“The Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, April 2, to immediately take action on Ms. Weitzman’s termination,” the LBPS Board of Education said in a statement Monday. “The safety and well-being of our students is the district’s top priority, and we are grateful that this matter has been concluded for the benefit of our children.”

Weitzman’s disciplinary hearing began in March 2016 and ended in May 2017. It was overseen by hearing officer Robert Grey and was open to the public, according to Newsday.

Weitzman was a tenured teacher, and therefore could only be punished or fired for a “just cause,” New York State Education Department officials said to The Daily Caller News Foundation Monday. Tenured teachers are entitled to a hearing, full pay and benefits during the disciplinary process. The state, however, does not get to determine the tenured teacher’s hearing decision.

LBPS and Weitzman’s attorney Debra Wabnik did not immediately respond to TheDCNF’s request for comment.