Court: Not OK for Lexington Teacher Accused of Sexual Harassment to Return

This week, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld Lexington School Committee's decision to let go a Lexington school teacher who was dismissed because of sexual harassment, reported Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. 

Physics teacher Mark Zagaeski was fired in 2011 for joking with a student that she could improve her grades through sexual favors. He was fired by Superintendent Paul Ash after the girl reported the incident, said EAG news. 

In April of 2012, the arbitrator argued that Zagaeski's accomplishments and overall performance outweighed the incident, and that he should be reinstated, ruling a two-day suspension. The arbitrator called the incident "relatively minor," and also argued that Zagaeski should get back pay for time out and his legal fees covered. Zageaski was in fact reinstated as a teacher, reported EAG News. 

In a split decision, the Supreme Court voted to override the decision and uphold the Lexington School Committee's initial decision to dismiss the physics teacher, according to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.