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LH teacher sentenced to probation for recording student

By Zach Petroff 1 min read

A Uniontown woman who illegally recorded a student while working as a teacher in the Laurel Highlands School District was sentenced to two years of probation.

In February 2023, an investigation led by state police found that Ashley Thurby-Kolesar, 34, had sent a video she recorded of a 15-year-old student asking for academic help, to another 17-year-old student.

Police said the 15-year-old student didn’t know he was being recorded, and what was said on the recording led to other students ridiculing the teen.

Thurby-Kolesar entered a guilty plea to intercepting communications. Charges of disclosing intercepted communications and criminal use of a communication facility were dismissed. She both entered her plea and was sentenced on Jan. 28.

Along with probation, Thurby-Kolesar is required to complete 175 hours of community service.

Dr. Jesse Wallace, district superintendent, did not return a call seeking information about Thurby-Kolesar’s employment status.

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