ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — An Atlantic City High School teacher returns to class Tuesday following a 120-day suspension for throwing a book that hit a student in the head.

Piano teacher Christopher Lorge admitted tossing the paperback in February because the student was talking on a phone and wearing earphones.

The district suspended Lorge and started proceedings to terminate him.

But The Press of Atlantic City reports a state Education Department arbitrator found while the teacher displayed a “serious lack of judgment,” he showed remorse and had worked 10 years without disciplinary action. The arbitrator declined to fire him.

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