Joseph A. Bradley, the new superintendent for the Spring Grove Area School District, provided a second statement on his DUI charges to the community during the district's July school board meeting.
During the meeting in the middle school's auditorium on July 15, 2024, Bradley provided the statement to an in-person and livestreamed audience as the meeting began.
"I apologize to the district for failing you in this situation," Bradley told the audience.
"I am prepared to take any additional proactive steps to rebuild trust and rebuild relationships," said Bradley, while he offered to partake in remediation programs.
Among the programs Bradley mentioned was a salary forfeiture, which would give portions of his salary to student clubs and groups, including the Students Against Disruptive Decisions group.
"I vow to be better, do better, and to serve this community," said Bradley. "I am going to work tirelessly to rebuild trust with this community."
"Should any similar event occur in the future, I will resign," said Bradley as he concluded his remarks.
Board members indicated that disciplinary action against Bradley is still under consideration.
The statement came in the wake of DUI charges against Bradley, 51, after police encountered him slumped over the wheel of his vehicle in Hanover on June 28.
Bradley had first released a statement regarding the incident on July 3, in which he told the district that he "made a regretful error in judgment while dealing with personal turmoil," and vowed to rebuild trust with the school district.
School documents show that the school board met in executive session to discuss a personnel matter on July 3, July 8, July 10, and before the July 15 meeting.
Following Bradley's remarks, multiple members of the school district community spoke about the incident during public comment in what was the first public meeting of the school board since the charges were revealed.
"A pledge to do better is not enough," said one parent among the numerous that called on Bradley to resign.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by state police in June stated that a state trooper on patrol encountered a male slumped over the wheel of his vehicle, which was parked along the curb on the 100 block of South Forney Avenue with its lights on and engine running.
In the affidavit, the trooper stated that he knocked on Bradley's window several times before Bradley awoke, appearing "extremely disoriented and lethargic."
When the window was lowered, the trooper "immediately detected a strong odor of intoxicants."
Bradley told the trooper he had "not a lot" to drink, the affidavit states, and had slurred speech throughout the interaction.
When the trooper requested Bradley exit the vehicle to conduct a field sobriety test, Bradley then told the trooper he had a "couple beers," according to the affidavit.
Previously reported:Spring Grove Area School District announces new superintendent
Bradley displayed multiple signs of impairment during the field sobriety test, the affidavit states, and a breath sample indicated his blood alcohol content was 0.193%. The legal limit in Pennsylvania is 0.08%.
While being placed under arrest, Bradley twice refused to consent to a blood draw and requested to speak with an attorney, the affidavit states.
Bradley started work as Spring Grove's superintendent July 1.
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