Northwestern Lehigh School Board Solicitor Domenic Sbrocchi opened a discussion by residents who wanted LeRoy Sorensen removed from the board because of a recent underage drinking incident at his home. Sbrocchi said Superintendent Mary Anne Wright asked him to give a legal opinion.

He said there are very few reasons why an elected official can be removed.

These include: if the person is convicted of embezzlement or other crime, if they hold a conflicting office, fail to attend two successive meetings, fail to perform the duties of the position, refuse to do something in the school code or accept bribes.

He said none of these reasons applied to Sorensen.

"There is no reason for his removal based on either the state constitution or the school code," Sbrocchi said.

Sorensen read a prepared statement, saying he wanted to address false rumors about the incident.

He was out of town at the time and his wife was in bed, Sorensen said.

Some of the rumors Sorensen said he heard is that he served the alcohol; that this was common practice in his home, that he was aware of the underage drinking party, that there were 30 kids partying, and "other lies."

Sorensen said his daughter had permission to have some friends over but there was to be no drinking.

He said he and his wife will take legal action against those who slander or libel them in order to protect their reputation and character.

The Sorensens have strong family values and a serious commitment to the community, he said.

He accepts the incident as an opportunity to learn from his child's mistake and will be become involved in awareness and prevention of underage drinking, Sorensen said, adding the incident has become a political issue and should not have.

"I have a strong commitment to Northwestern Lehigh and will not resign from the school board," Sorensen said.

Don Link said because of Sorensen's position on the school board, high school kids are talking about the incident.

"It is not kids being kids," Link said, referring to an earlier comment attributed to Sorensen. "Kids laughing as they get off a bus or playing video games is kids being kids."

Because a parent called the state police it may have prevented someone from getting stopped for DUI.

"LeRoy, I'm asking you to reconsider your refusal to resign," Link said.

Ray Nemeth was the first to give a positive point to the issue.

"People try to instill trust in their children but on this issue when a man isn't even home - this is emotional flogging," he said.

Fellow board member Ron Morrison said he has learned Sorensen is dedicated and sincere, a volunteer with integrity.

"He has my confidence," Morrison said, adding as far as he is concerned the only reason for discussing the issue at a board meeting is because they had promised transparency.

Chris Ford said he and Sorensen have been back-and-forth on some issues.

"The family contributes to the community," Ford said. "It's not about Sorensen but it is bringing the spotlight on the community.

"I would resign."

Just before the meeting adjourned, Ford explained that just because he would resign, did not mean Sorensen should.

School Director Camille Bartlett said Sorensen is dedicated and strives to do well, but, because of the negativity, she would support his resignation.

"It's not about LeRoy Sorensen himself," Bartlett said.

Director Joe Reiter said he spoke with about 100 people and found no negativity.

Students on the fields have no negativity, he said. Reiter said he would like to see anti-drinking programs.

"I wouldn't want him to consider resignation," Reiter said.

Director Todd Hernandez said the incident takes attention away from the positives of the district.

Board members are held to a high moral standard.Teens must be taught they are also held to a standard, he said.

"Because we work for our constituents, he should resign," Hernandez said.

Director Greg Sanders said the incident was a wakeup call and Sorensen is a big contributor to the board.

"He should stay," Sanders said

Director Darryl Schafer said, as a parent, he does not support underage drinking.

"It lies with the individual and, currently is between the Sorensen family and state police," Schafer said.

Director Willard Dellicker said the incident is Sorensen's personal problem.

His concern is the reputation of the board and his advice was that Sorensen resign in the best interest of the district.

The board recognizes that its members are held to a higher standard and the incident may cause distrust of the board, Dellicker said.

Sorensen said he got up the morning after the incident occurred and the phone rang.

The media was asking for comment.

He thanked the Northwestern Press and Channel 69 WFMZ for getting the story correct.

He said two papers misquoted him.

Under public comment Phil Toll said Sorensen was elected and should stay on the board because he did not commit any ethical problem.

"It was a teachable moment that happens across the country," Toll said.