McMurray teacher cited for harassment against student
Mt. Lebanon police have filed a summary harassment charge against Michael Magri, 34, of McMurray, for allegedly hitting a female student with a closed fist, bruising her arm.
The citation will be sent to Magri, who teaches wood shop at Keystone Oaks High School. It is not clear whether the student was in Magri’s class. Lt. Duane Fisher of the Mt. Lebanon police said the department was contacted to investigate the incident. Fisher also said none of the allegations against Magri indicated any type of sexual, retaliatory or angry contact.
“The behavior would be more appropriately characterized as sophomoric in nature,” he said.
In a letter sent Sept. 23 to Keystone Oaks families, William Stropkaj, the district superintendent, acknowledged “allegations of inappropriate behavior between a teacher employed at Keystone Oaks High School and high school students. While we cannot discuss personnel matters, and also want to protect students and their families to the greatest extent possible, we wanted to inform you of this situation.”
Magri was not identified in Stropkaj’s letter.
“The employee was immediately placed on paid administrative leave when the administration became aware of the allegations,” the letter states.
Stropkaj further said training has been provided to district staff on protocols related to inappropriate conduct with students at an in-service training prior to the start of the school year.