Tammy Whitfield, assistant superintendent of the Chartiers Valley School District, has turned in her keys and cleaned out her office after a judge refused her request to work beyond the expiration of her contract.

U.S. District Judge David Cercone denied the stay Thursday, but he still is considering her First Amendment preliminary injunction motion.

Dr. Whitfield has alleged that she is being denied a new contract because of her 2006 testimony in a 20-day suspension appeal involving high school varsity basketball coach Tim McConnell. According to her suit, public officials may not, under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, retaliate against employees who testify truthfully.

Dr. Whitfield's five-year contract expired Saturday, and her last day of work was Friday.

The 22-year employee and second-in-command of the district may not be gone, however. Residents and school employees are encouraging her to mount a write-in campaign for a school board seat in today's primary election.

"This has taken on a life of its own," said Dr. Whitfield, of Collier, as she organized poll workers. "If it happens, I feel like I can't let them down."

Voters in Bridgeville, Collier, Heidelberg and Scott, will elect four board members today.

The candidates -- all from Scott -- are Jeff Choura, who has been a school director for 32 years; Bridget Kelly, a 16-year member; and newcomer Debra Rice. All three won both party nominations and will be on the Democratic and Republican ballots.

Beth McIntyre, who has been a board member for 13 years, will only be on the Democratic ballot, and Tom Galluze, an eight-year member, will only be on the Republican ballot. Dr. Whitfield would be the sixth candidate.

Dr. Whitfield was named assistant superintendent in October 2004. In 2006, Chartiers Valley was fined nearly $12,000 by the state Department of Education over Mr. McConnell's unfulfilled education requirements.

She testified against him in an appeal of his suspension, which was later reduced in a court settlement.

The school board voted 6-3 in May to open her position and consider other candidates. Dr. Whitfield's salary was $121,000.

After failing to act in succeeding months, Dr. Whitfield filed suit in U.S. District Court in August, alleging she was being denied a new contract because of that testimony.

At a school board meeting Thursday, Mrs. McIntyre moved and Mrs. Frey seconded a motion to approve a new contract as recommended by the superintendent five months ago, but no vote was taken.

Finally, Director Herb Ohliger moved to table the matter, which was approved by a 4-2 vote.

Superintendent Tony Skender said yesterday he is trying to figure out who will handle Dr. Whitfield's responsibilities.

"I have no idea how to redistribute her work load," he said.

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