McMurray man cited for hitting student with closed fist
Mt. Lebanon police have filed a summary harassment charge against Michael Magri, 34, of McMurray for hitting a juvenile student with a closed fist, bruising the girl’s arm.
Magri, who is being charged by summons, teaches wood shop at Keystone Oaks High School. It is not clear whether the student was in Magri’s class.
Lt. Duane Fisher of the Mt. Lebanon Police Department said the department was contacted to investigate the incident. Fisher also said none of the allegations against Magri indicated any type of sexual, retaliatory or angry contact.
“The behavior would be more appropriately characterized as sophomoric in nature,” he said.
In a Sept. 23 letter to Keystone Oaks families, William Stropkaj, the district superintendent, acknowledged “allegations of inappropriate behavior between a teacher employed at Keystone Oaks High School and high school students. While we cannot discuss personnel matters, and also want to protect students and their families to the greatest extent possible, we wanted to inform you of this situation.”
Magri was not identified in Stropkaj’s letter.
“The employee was immediately placed on paid administrative leave when the administration became aware of the allegations.”
Stropkaj further said training has been provided to district staff on protocols related to inappropriate conduct with students at an in-service training prior to the start of the 2016-2017 school year.