James Norton, the suspended High School science and physics teacher, will not attend tonight's special Board of Education hearing on the charge that Norton had struck a pupil. Mrs. Norton said last night that attorney Saul Alexander of Paterson had ordered her husband not to attend the hearings or make any statements until the State Commissioner of Education has made a ruling in the case. Norton wag suspended by the Board June 1 after Charles Boxer charged the teacher with striking his son, Scott, May 1. Mrs. Norton said her husband had sent a letter to the father. She did not say what was in the letter. As a result of the letter, Boxer said he was withdrawing the assault charge. He added that he was not out to crucify the teacher and the meat of the matter was that his son said he had been struck and that it had been admitted. Apology Offered Norton reportedly said in the letter that he would publicly apologize to Scott and his parents. He said also that he hoped the incident would not disrupt the pleasant relationship he had had with the student. School trustees are expected to reinstate Norton with the opening of the fall term. The Board could ask the State Commissioner of Education to dismiss the charge against Norton. … Norton has been a member of the faculty since the High School opened in 1958. The Board of Education suspended Norton under a State law which requires such action when a serious complaint is made. Trustees have made decision in the case.
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