By a 5-4 vote Monday night, Lehighton Area School District’s board opted to keep in place a one-year ban that restricts one of its directors from the district’s high school and administration building for a year, with the exception of attending a school board function or a preapproved meeting.

David Bradley, the director in question, called the restrictions “unlawful” during Monday’s meeting.

“It’s illegal based on school code, state law and our own school policy,” Bradley said. “That’s my opinion. I’m asking for it to be rescinded to save the district thousands of dollars in litigation costs.”

The restriction, approved June 25, also prohibits Bradley from having direct contact with any district employee while they are on the job unless previously scheduled and approved through the superintendent or business manager.

According to an investigative report filed by Lehighton Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver, a copy of which was posted on Facebook and circulated by Bradley before Monday’s meeting, Bradley was accused of harassing/bullying a district employee on June 1.

“Mr. Bradley began to berate an employee over the fees associated with his right to know request,” Cleaver wrote in the report.

A second incident, Cleaver wrote in his report, occurred June 7.

According to the report, Bradley and fellow Director Joy Beers were present at a parent-principal/assistant principal meeting.

“This followed an incident earlier in the day dealing with student discipline and searches of other students that complied with both state and federal law,” Cleaver wrote.

In June, Bradley denied the accusations and criticized the district for failing to interview additional witnesses.

“I was targeted as a means of public embarrassment,” Bradley said. “This investigation lacked due process. There is no proof of video, audio or additional testimony to back up the claims.”

Gloria Bowman, past board president and a Lehighton taxpayer, said during Monday’s meeting that she doesn’t see the restrictions as unlawful.

“I think it put parameters around Mr. Bradley, and he has to go through certain hoops to get into the administration building and the high school based on past experiences with employees,” Bowman said.

Larry Stern, Wayne Wentz, Andrew Yenser, Steve Holland and Rita Spinelli voted to keep the restrictions in place, while Bradley, Gail Maholick, Joy Beers and Richard Beltz voted to rescind them.

“I think we should strike it,” Maholick said. “I think it opens the district up to a lawsuit.”