Police: Ex-director incited riot at Pennsylvania school

Friday, February 22, 2013

READING, Pa. - The fired former director of a now-shuttered eastern Pennsylvania school for troubled students was charged Friday with inciting a riot at the school in a bid to get his job back.

Andre Bean, former director of Delaware Valley High School in Reading, and a second fired staffer told students to act up in school and disobey the new staff so they would be brought back, according to court documents. Bean allegedly offered jewelry and trips to an amusement park as an incentive.

Reading police were called to the school on Sept. 21 to quell a melee. Five students were found delinquent for their role.

Bean, 39, of Whites Creek, Tenn., was charged Friday with felony riot, corruption of minors, obstruction of justice, reckless endangerment and other offenses. He was permitted to remain free while his case proceeds.

The Reading School District canceled its $1.1 million contract with the school last month. The company's owner has filed a lawsuit against Bean, alleging he and other staffers urged students to cause damage. Bean has called the claim "ridiculous," "wild" and "defamatory."

No one picked up the phone at a listing for Bean in Tennessee.