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Wednesday, April 16, 1997     Page: 6A

SCRANTON — A federal judge has let stand civil rights allegations against
the Dallas School District and one of its teachers.
   
The district and teacher John J. Bancala had asked Judge Thomas Vanaskie to
dismiss claims made by Richard and Laura Cibula of Trucksville, who filed the
suit in February in U.S. District Court.
    The suit stems from an alleged incident in February 1994 in which the
Cibulas’ son, Rich, claims Bancala hit him during class after students became
noisy. Bancala was later acquitted of harassment.
   
Rich Cibula, a special needs student with learning disabilities, suffered
visual impairment, which has had a detrimental effect on his education, said
his attorney, Greg Germain of Scranton. The Cibulas are seeking in excess of
$50,000 .
   
In the federal suit, the Cibulas claim their son’s civil rights were
violated because the district used corporal punishment against a special needs
student, delayed discipline against Bancala and then placed the Kingston
Township student in classes for emotionally disabled students.
   
Germain claims these actions showed the teacher’s and district’s
“indifference toward the abuse.”
   
Among the claims Vanaskie dismissed:
   
Negligence claims against the district and Bancala.
   
Intentional assault, battery and infliction of emotional distress claims
against the district.
   
Punitive damages claims against the district.
   
Anthony Piazza, the attorney for the district and Bancala, and Dallas
Acting Superintendent Gilbert Griffiths could not be reached for comment
Tuesday.