Teacher fired over sex in Pa. classroom rehired

MCKEESPORT, Pa. -- A western Pennsylvania schoolteacher fired after she admitted having had sex with another teacher inside a classroom a decade ago is back on the job following an appeals court decision overturning her firing.

Angela DiBattista's attorney, Philip Fabiano, says she has been rehired by the McKeesport Area School District after a long legal battle.

"This is something that she loves to do, wants to do, is good at it. She really wanted to go back, and she had that opportunity," Fabiano said.

DiBattista reported for work Monday as a math teacher in the district, where classes began Wednesday.

"I don't think anyone was happier for the first day of school than Angela DiBattista," Fabiano said.

A Commonwealth Court ruling a year ago said the former Cornell Intermediate School fourth-grade teacher had an "implied" immunity agreement when she testified during a 2005 hearing on the other teacher.

The opinion did not specifically order that she be rehired. The state Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in March.

Fabiano said the district has provided no compensation for lost wages and benefits, but "we're working on trying to amicably resolve those issues."

Fabiano said DiBattista told him after her return that "she thought this day would never come."

"She told me she got all anxious and a little scared, and she gave some thought of turning around and going home, but she didn't," he said.

A district spokeswoman declined comment on DiBattista's status, saying it was a personnel matter.