NEWS

Security guard fired for Facebook posting reinstated

Deborah M. Marko
@dmarko_dj

VINELAND – A school security guard fired as a result of her private Facebook postings after the slaying of a Philadelphia police officer will be reinstated under the terms of a legal settlement.

Mary Czaplinski was terminated for conduct unbecoming a public employee and sufficient cause based on postings on her private Facebook page. In one, she used the phrase “black thug” to describe the two suspects who allegedly killed Philadelphia Police Officer Robert Wilson, who also was black, in March.

She is now scheduled to return to her $21,905-a-year job on Sept. 1, according to the terms of an agreement reached between her attorney, Frank Corrado, and school district officials.

The terms were the result of a recent settlement conference held in the Atlantic City office of Administrative Law Judge Todd Miller. The school board approved the agreement at its Wednesday meeting with board president Scott English and vice president Diamaris Rios opposed. Board member Chris Jennings abstained.

Board members declined to comment on the personnel matter, which was subject to discussion in closed session.

As per the agreement, Czaplinski’s personnel file will reflect a suspension without pay running from March 27 through June 30, according to the district’s personnel director Joseph Rossi. Her security guard position is a 10-month per year post.

Czaplinski also was required to complete a sensitivity course and will not be assigned a district high school or middle school, he said.

“I think there is an acknowledgment of how we want to conduct ourselves as public employees that serve students,” Rossi said.

Pending litigation related to the case, including a federal civil rights case, will be dismissed. The settlement was reached with no admission of liability from either party.

When reached Thursday, Czaplinski declined to comment and directed questions to her attorney.

“I agree with the terms of the settlement,” Corrado said when reached at his office.

That March 5 Facebook posting was forwarded to Rossi and Superintendent Mary Gruccio through an anonymous email that called the guard a “racist.”

According to court documents, Czaplinski also wrote on her Facebook page that “may(be) all white people should start riots and protests and scare the hell out of them.”

She added she was “praying hard” for the police officer and later posted a picture of Wilson with the caption, “This is what a hero looks like.”

District personnel policy warns staff about “inappropriate” social media communications.

In the termination notice, Rossi noted the district’s student population was “very diverse” and said Czaplinski’s statement raised a question about her ability to be “an unbiased arbiter.”

Czaplinski, a 12-year district employee, pursued a civil rights lawsuit against the school district seeking damages, protection from harassment and court/attorney fees.

Deborah M. Marko; (856) 563-5256; dmarko@gannettnj.com