YATESVILLE — Pittston Area Superintendent Kevin Booth addressed the public Tuesday at his first school board meeting since his October arrest on domestic violence charges. A Luzerne County magistrate dismissed the charges against Booth in March and the school board reinstated him from leave to active status in April.
“First and foremost, I’d like to express regret for any disruption and distraction my absence may have caused across our district,” Booth said. “I recognize that this period may have presented challenges to many, as well as for our students and families, and for that I am truly sorry.”
Booth thanked Pittston Area Assistant Superintendent John Haas, who assumed the superintendent’s duties during Booth’s seven-month leave, saying he was proud of the school district’s continued success.
“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Haas for his steady leadership and for ensuring continuity in our work and progress during my absence,” Booth said.
Pittston police arrested Booth on Oct. 5 after he allegedly choked his wife at his home. Police said Booth denied the allegation of domestic violence after having initially told law enforcement he had “no idea” what had happened. Booth, now 55, was subsequently arraigned on one charge of simple assault and one charge of harassment and released on $2,500 unsecured bail. He was then admitted into an inpatient-treatment facility.
A magistrate at Luzerne County Central Court dismissed the charges against Booth on March 3. The dismissal was pursuant to a statement to the court from Booth’s wife, Jessica, in which she indicated she was no longer interested in pressing charges, especially given his completion of rehabilitation and anger-management programs.
In its first meeting after Booth’s arrest, the school board put an anonymous employee on paid administrative leave retroactive from Oct. 14.
On April 22, the board voted 6-2 to return that employee, who appears to be Booth, to active status. School board members Marissa Chiumento and Katherine Healey cast the two votes against Booth’s return and board President Frank Serino was absent.
Despite this lack of unanimity in returning him to active status, Booth expressed gratitude Tuesday to the school board for its support and what he said was its work to help improve Pittston Area.
“I would like to thank the board of education for its faith in me and my ability to lead the Pittston Area School District,” Booth said. “I would like to commend the members of the board of education for their continued dedication to the Pittston Area School District and I look forward to working alongside them as we move forward together with purpose and unity.”
The superintendent said he wanted to lead Pittston Area with an emphasis on transparency in an effort to advance the district’s mission of service to its students, staff, and faculty.
“As we move forward, my focus is on supporting our staff and students and building on a strong foundation already in place,” Booth said. “Reestablishing trust and maintaining open, transparent communication will be a priority.”
Booth declined to expound on his statement about his return after the meeting Tuesday and declined to comment on whether his Pittston Area health insurance policy paid for his rehabilitation treatment during his leave of absence. When asked about any critics who have questioned his ability to continue leading Pittston Area, Booth cited his experience in the district.
“I’ll let my record speak for itself,” Booth said.