CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — The Franklin County Career Technical Center welcomed Building Construction Trades teacher Eric Wagaman back to class after parents raised concerns about his absence. When school began on Aug. 20, parents and students were informed that a substitute would be covering his classes indefinitely.
At the last school board meeting, held on Aug. 27, parents asked board officials why Wagaman was being kept out of school without explanation. By the following Monday, he was back in class, still with no explanation provided to parents.
The center serves students in six school districts and is governed by a Joint Operating Committee, consisting of representatives from each.
Court records show Wagaman was charged on June 15 in connection with items allegedly stolen from the school in May. All charges were withdrawn over a month later, on July 27.
The public Facebook group “We Stand with Mr. Wagaman” was created with the goal of reinstating Wagaman soon after the charges were dropped.
“He is currently under fire, though, as administration from FCCTC has demolished his classroom, destroyed valuable storage areas, created unsafe environments for our kids to learn in, and now harasses Mr. Wagaman with UNSUSTAINED criminal charge,” part of the first post on the page read.
Danielle Stottlemyer, a parent of one of the students in Wagaman’s class, raised concerns about Wagaman’s treatment even before criminal charges were filed, saying he had been advocating for safety changes in the school and citing alleged school code violations.
Stottlemyer and posts on the Facebook page also alleged unsafe classroom conditions during Wagaman’s absence, stating second- and third-year students taught first-year students while no certified teacher was present.
Wagaman has not commented, and Administrative Director Lesli Shuman said she could not comment on personnel matters, but offered this to say about the situation:
“After hearing public comments, the JOC and administration were able to take action to ensure the instructor was in session for the program. The CTC will be running this program for the benefit of all parties. We thank those parents and students who spoke that night respectfully and professionally.”
The parents’ Facebook page can be found at facebook.com/share/1JbTu5XssS.
The Joint Operating Committee members include:
Chambersburg Area School District
Faye Gaugler
Carl McKee
Ed Norcross
Fannett-Metal School District
Tara Will, Superintendent of Record
Chad McClure
Greencastle Antrim School District
Eileen Dickinson
Janon Gray
Shippensburg Area School District
Mike Carey
Kirk Naugle
Tuscarora School District
Matt Gordon, vice chair
Waynesboro Area School District
Patti Strite
Rachel Fortney, chair
