BUTLER TWP — Joe Cunningham on Thursday night led his first school board meeting since returning to work as director of the Butler County Vocational-Technical School.

The vo-tech’s joint operating committee agreed Aug. 18 to reinstate him under a Last Chance Agreement.

In an executive session that evening, the committee learned an independent investigator found no evidence that Cunningham was under the influence of alcohol while at the school.

Previously, he had been secretly filmed drinking alcoholic beverages at McBride Station on Route 8 during the school day on several occasions. That led to his entry into a rehabilitation program.

Tom Breath, vo-tech solicitor, declined to provide details of the investigation by Joseph Kubit, an attorney with the Butler law firm Montgomery Crissman Montgomery Kubit and Petrancosta.

“I am truly blessed to have this opportunity,” Cunningham said after the meeting. “I’ve caused pain and heartache to my loved ones, my peers and the board, but they saw fit to give me another chance. I’m grateful for their kindness, patience and understanding.”

Cunningham was on paid administrative leave for about three weeks following a 30-day medical leave of absence.