2018 in review: Grand jury recommends charges against former Pleasant Valley administrators

The Monroe County Special grand jury spent the better part of a year hearing testimony related to violations of the Pennsylvania wiretap laws and other questionable behaviors of administrators in the Pleasant Valley School District.

In December 2017, former Director of Support Services Joshua Krebs was charged with violating the wiretap laws relating to an incident that occurred in April 2017 when Krebs admitted to installing a video/audio recorder in a teachers’ break room at Pleasant Valley Elementary School.

The recorder was discovered by a teacher, who reported it to the building representative. The recorder was removed. When questioned about the recorder Krebs admitted it had been installed to catch a custodian thought to be taking long breaks in the evenings.

Krebs allegedly told others that he had recorded audio. When questioned by authorities, Krebs denied having audio recordings. In a second set of charges, Krebs was charged with perjury.

Krebs was placed on paid administrative leave after Monroe County Detective Wendy Serfass attended a school board meeting where Krebs was in attendance. Serfass went to Monroe County President Judge Margherita Patti-Worthington and requested conditions be placed on Krebs’ access to potential witnesses.

The district approved a $14,500 retirement buyout for Krebs in November. Krebs is currently awaiting trial on both sets of charges.

The grand jury in October recommended additional charges against Krebs in a presentment that included details of witness statements that paint a picture of retaliation and cronyism within the district. The grand jury also recommended charges be brought against former Superintendent Carole Geary and former assistant to the superintendent, Christopher Fisher.

The presentment called for Geary, Fisher and Krebs to be charged with official oppression, threats in official and political matters, and retaliation for past official action.

The presentment also looked at the current administration. While the grand jury found that there was significant improvement since Geary’s departure, there were recommendations made for further improvements.