Mars Area High School principal Anna G. Saker remains on the job as she prepares to defend herself against disorderly conduct charges.

Mrs. Saker, of Adams, was charged last Sunday with four counts of disorderly conduct and one count of obstructing administration of law or intergovernmental function stemming from an altercation between her husband and a Mars police officer.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 4 before District Judge Wayne Seibel of Evans City.

Mars Area Superintendent William Pettigrew said Mrs. Saker will remain at the high school's helm.

"Mrs. Saker's private situation has nothing to do with the school district, and she will remain in her current position," he said.

A letter was sent home with students Thursday acknowledging the charges against Mrs. Saker, but saying Mrs. Saker is entitled to due process and the district would have no further comment.

Mrs. Saker has been principal of Mars Area High School since 2002 and was assistant principal before that. She joined the district in 1995.

Mrs. Saker's husband, Nazih V. Saker, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, four counts of disorderly conduct and one count each of terroristic threats, simple assault, resisting arrest, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, reckless driving, running a stop sign and failure to yield at a yield sign.

The incident occurred May 8 about 5:40 p.m. when Mars Patrolman Daniel Tressler was checking for speeders near the intersection of Beaver and Hazel streets in Mars. He clocked Mr. Saker driving 40 mph in a 25 mph zone, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the district judge office.

Mr. Saker told police he wasn't speeding, then became irate, yelling obscenities at the officer, police said.

Mr. Saker would not sign the citation and drove away. Patrolman Tressler followed the car to the couple's home, where Mr. Saker threatened the officer and grabbed his arm and shoved him backward, according to the affidavit.

When Patrolman Tressler pulled out his baton, Mrs. Saker stepped between him and her husband and would not move away when asked.