FLORENCE — The Florence school board took more than 10 hours in a hearing before determining that Florence Middle School teacher Beth Weir would return to the classroom after serving a 10-week suspension from her duties through the end of the school year.

Weir, a seven-year employee of the school system, teaches math and was placed on paid leave in mid-May pending her hearing before the board.

The board meeting began Tuesday and continued until 3 a.m. today when Superintendent Janet Womack recommended Weir’s termination. Board member Maleah Chaney made the motion to approve the recommendation but it died for the lack of a second.

Board member Tom Wissert then made a motion to suspend Weir for the remainder of the semester without pay and return to her classroom teaching position on Jan. 2, 2013, when the second semester reconvenes. The board voted 4-1 in favor of the motion. Chaney was the only no vote.

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 256-740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.