Violence Med For Depression Withdrawal 25/06/1997 New York Physical Education Teacher Fired for Fighting While Referring Game Summary:

Paragraph 4 reads:  "Mr. Healy, Star Lake, was timekeeper and became distressed over calls made by referees in the close game. He confronted officials, ran into the bleachers to argue with spectators and challenged one to a fight. After the game, he got into a fight with former Superintendent Donald H. Belcer during which he punched him and kicked him."
        
Paragraph 6 reads:  "He further attributes his behavior to the fact that he was not taking medication for his depression ," the ruling says."


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COURT UPHOLDS FIRING OF PHYS-ED TEACHER

Watertown Daily Times (NY) - June 25, 1997
Author: Times Albany Bureau

The Third Department appellate court has upheld the Clifton-Fine Central School District's firing of physical education teacher David F. Healy.

Last week's ruling affirms a 1995 decision by a state Education Department hearing panel that ruled that Mr. Healy could be fired for conduct unbecoming a teacher.

The incident that led to Mr. Healy's termination took place at a Feb. 8, 1994, basketball game between Clifton-Fine and Hermon-DeKalb.

Mr. Healy, Star Lake, was timekeeper and became distressed over calls made by referees in the close game. He confronted officials, ran into the bleachers to argue with spectators and challenged one to a fight. After the game, he got into a fight with former Superintendent Donald H. Belcer during which he punched him and kicked him.

While Mr. Healy did not deny that these incidents occurred, the court decision says, "he portrays himself as the victim rather than the aggressor."

"He further attributes his behavior to the fact that he was not taking medication for his depression ," the ruling says.

The court rejected Mr. Healy's argument that there was insufficient evidence for the hearing panel to recommend his dismissal. Based on his assault on Mr. Belcer, the hearing panel has enough evidence for the finding of conduct unbecoming a teacher, the court decided.

"We also reject the petitioner's argument that the penalty of termination is excessive since his conduct was totally egregious and completely antithetical to that expected of a teacher," the decision says.
Edition: Final
Section: Local
Page: 29
Dateline: ALBANY
Record Number: 9706250014
Copyright (c) 1997 Watertown Daily Times
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COURT UPHOLDS FIRING OF PHYS-ED TEACHER