NORTHERN VALLEY — Northern Valley Regional High School District’s board attorney, James Plosia, calls the suit by the district’s former lacrosse coach and teacher’s aid, Peter DeFelice, "frivolous." DeFelice is suing the district for defamation of character, wrongful termination and discrimination after he was fired for allegedly sending inappropriate text messages to a female student.

DeFelice’s employment was terminated April 18 after the texts came to the attention of school authorities. He was also charged with making communications in an offensive manner when the student made a complaint in Norwood regarding the text messages between herself and DeFelice.

The charge was officially dismissed Dec. 18, according to DeFelice, due to insufficient evidence. The prosecutor, Laura Nunnink, declined to comment on the reasons for dismissal. That day DeFelice filed a suit against the school district.

"The whole process was done poorly. You don’t fire then investigate," said DeFelice, a certified paralegal who is representing himself in the suit against the district and a suit against the girl’s parents.

DeFelice claims the texts were taken out of context and faults the school district for "not following protocol" in firing him, saying he was called into the principal’s office without knowing why or told to seek legal counsel.

However, Plosia refutes DeFelice’s claims.

"He is not entitled to be informed he has the right to an attorney," said Plosia, explaining that being read one’s Miranda rights only holds true for criminal matters. "[With] employment [matters] if you ask affirmatively to have representation you get a representative."

Plosia also calls baseless DeFelice’s allegation that the texts were taken out of context therefore unfairly used against him. Stressing that the inappropriate communication was with a minor, Plosia said the texts were "not ambiguous" and that DeFelice admitted to sending them.

"Most staff know better than to do this. They know they can’t date or attempt to date students," said Plosia, calling DeFelice’s actions "very serious misconduct."