LAWRENCE — School officials have invited a teacher back to Lawrence High School just a week after her job appeared in jeopardy for allowing students to bring cooked pasta into her Italian class.
"They're saying I have the job if I want it," said Ileana Bordonaro, who was ordered to turn in her keys and escorted from the International High School last Thursday after she claimed to have been fired by Principal Terika Smith.
But Bordonaro, who is a permanent substitute teacher, said last night she will seek her lawyer's advice before deciding whether to return. She declined further comment.
The School Department's Director for Human Resources Salvatore Petralia confirmed that Bordonaro "was welcomed back" as early as today.
"There's an offer on the table for her to return," said Petralia, who presided over a 90-minute "mediation meeting" between the principal, the teacher and her lawyer.
Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy didn't attend the session, but approved the decision to have Bordonaro return and "was pleased with the outcome (of the meeting)," Petralia said.
"It's our hope that we're making our decision in the best interests of the students," he said, noting that "she's done a very nice job."
"Obviously, the response and presentation made by the students shows she really can identify with the students. The students spoke very positive about the impact she's had," he said.
Petralia was referring to the students who packed the School Committee meeting last Thursday night to show their support for their teacher.
Several of the students later said they were baffled at why Smith would fire Bordonaro for allowing her students to bring home-cooked spaghetti and lasagna into school for a taste of the culture they are studying.
They said the principal was out of the country on a trip three weeks ago when students were sampling classmates' cooking, and that Bordonaro had received permission from the assistant principal.
Some of the students suggested Bordonaro was fired because she was angry at the new grading system Smith tried to implement at the International High School.
Under the new system, students were to be given incompletes for grades less than a B-minus.
Laboy canceled the new grading system after students complained en masse at a School Committee meeting last month.
School officials have taken the position that Bordonaro was never fired, even though students and teachers watched her being escorted from the building.
"We hope to put this matter behind us and move forward. It's our expectation that she will be returning," Petralia said last night.
"It was a very productive meeting, and both sides had an opportunity to speak about the issue. I'm hopeful the matter will lead to an amicable result," he said.
Petralia said he hopes to hear from Bordonaro today as to whether she will accept the offer.
School Committee Vice Chairman Gregory Morris was elated when advised of the school officials' decision, hailing it as "a win for the kids."
"I'm glad both sides got together and that it worked out. I hope she does return because the kids really want her back," Morris said.
"But I'd like to hear the whole story — if possible. I'd like to hear why it got to this point," he said.
Member James Vittorioso called it "gracious" for school officials to welcome the teacher back, but said Bordonaro should "think about it carefully."
"Under what conditions is she able to return? That's my question," Vittorioso said.
"Is she under probation? Will she be hired next year? All these questions remain dominant. But I think she has to return," he said.
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