A veteran performing arts teacher at Asbury Park High School in Monmouth County, New Jersey has been hit with a $22,000 salary forfeiture over an incident that occurred last year.
The teacher, Desley Getty, made a four-minute telephone call on a cellphone during class while two students danced and another student videotaped the event that later appeared on YouTube.
Getty had allegedly telephoned a former district superintendent for advice on how to help a troubled student.
The $22,000 penalty is based on a 120 day salary forfeiture from the teacher’s base salary of $70,000. The school district has a strict policy against cell phone use by teachers during class time.
An attorney for Desley Getty stated she has no plans to appeal the decision, and wishes to move forward.
Asbury Park High School is a four-year community public high school in Asbury Park, N.J. It serves pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.