BUTLER TWP — Joe Cunningham, Butler County Vocational-Technical School director who was secretly filmed allegedly drinking during the school day, will be placed on administrative leave with pay beginning Monday, said Tom Breth, school solicitor, this morning.

Cunningham has been at an in-patient alcohol rehabilitation facility since late June. He was given a 30-day medical leave of absence to attend a 28-day program.

In addition, the school's joint operating committee has hired outside counsel to investigate Cunningham's behavior.

Joe Kubit, an attorney with the Butler firm Montgomery Crissman Montgomery Kubit & Petrancosta LLP will do the investigation.

Representing the committee, Breth began investigating Cunningham's behavior in late June after a television reporter confronted Cunningham, alleging that he was drinking alcohol during the school day at McBride Station on Route 8. Subsequently, the news station aired film from a hidden camera, allegedly of him doing so.

Thursday, before an executive session of the committee, Breth said that news report is part of the investigation.