Arbitration panel rules in favor of principal

A former high school principal won a breach of contract suit and a financial firm obtained judgments in three credit card suits, all which were heard by boards of arbitrations recently in the Schuylkill County court.

Cynthia A. Knauer, 2829 Liberty Street, Allentown, who was employed as a high school principal in the Blue Mountain School District, was awarded $10,686.52. It was brought out at the hearing during the 2007 calendar school year she began having disagreements about her continued employment and entered into a separation and release agreement.

The claim was that the agreement provided that Dr. Knauer remain employed until Nov. 1, 2007, with pay and benefits for the school year 2007-08, also, she shall receive payment for an unused, accumulative sick day and vacation. She brought suit claiming the school district breached the contract. The school district claimed she voluntarily quit her position and that she resigned.

Chase Bank USA, of San Antonio, Tex., won three suits for default on credit card payments. Arbitration boards found judgments against the parties ruling they defaulted on payments on their credit cards.

A judgment for $21,774 was entered against David C. Kohn, 29 PIne Heights, Pottsville; $11,862.62 against Jamie Reed, 1333 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; and $7,045.45 against Luanne J. Zahorchak, 509 California Ave., Shenandoah Heights.