A personnel hearing in Palmerton Area School District is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday in the board room of the Parkside Education Center on Fourth Street.

While the district has not confirmed the employee who is the subject of the hearing, social media posts indicate it is related to the suspension of high school principal Paula Husar.In a federal lawsuit filed by Husar against the district and its superintendent, Scot Engler, Husar confirms she received a three-day suspension for "alleged improper handling of a school bus investigation" on April 19.During a due process hearing, such as the one scheduled for Wednesday, the employee makes the decision on whether or not the hearing is open to the public."One of the very first items addressed by the hearing officer will be that request, if made," Palmerton Board President Chuck Myers said on Monday."If (the employee) requests a private hearing then no members of the public will be allowed to attend the hearing. If they request it to be public then the other party gets to object and, if they object, then the hearing officer makes a ruling on that matter based on the objections stated at that time."Myers said the hearing will be the first time the school board hears any and all facts in the matter."The board," he said, "acting as the equivalent of a jury, then makes its decision to uphold, modify or reverse the punishment to the individual."Despite the public/private status of the hearing remaining up in the air, Myers encouraged public attendance."If the public would like to show up to support anyone, please do," he said. "If a private hearing is requested or decided that the hearing is not open to the public, they will have to leave the hearing to protect the privacy of the individual."In addition to her U.S. Middle District Court lawsuit claiming retaliation, Husar filed lawsuits in Carbon County Court, alleging negligence and breach of contract, and before the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, alleging gender discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, age discrimination and retaliation.