Edina school officials say they've finished their investigation of a teacher accused of violating a student's privacy last November, but they are not ready to make their findings public.

In the meantime, first-grade teacher Deborah York remains on paid administrative leave from Countryside Elementary School, as parents push for her reinstatement.

Responding to inquiries from some parents, York had discussed in general terms a Nov. 9 incident in which she was injured while trying to deal with an unruly student in her classroom.

She was still recuperating at home when the district opened its probe into whether she went too far in telling parents what had happened. Parents responded by circulating petitions on her behalf.

"We are not releasing any additional information at this time," said Doug Johnson, a spokesman for Edina Public Schools.

York's lawyer, Marshall Tanick, would not discuss the findings of the investigation, referring questions to the district. However, he did say that if the district attempts to take disciplinary action against York, she intends to challenge it vigorously.

"Our position is that Mrs. York did not do anything wrong and did not violate any laws," he said.

Tanick said he did not know when York might return to teaching, noting that she is still recovering from injuries she suffered during the "fracas" in her classroom.

He said York was dealing with the student's behavior that day after he had pushed a classmate into a desk. York had emptied the classroom and was trying to talk to the student when the boy pushed York, causing her to sprain her neck and back, Tanick said.

At issue is whether York, in relaying to parents her concern for the safety of children in her classroom, crossed a line and violated the boy's rights.

The school district hired NeuVest, a company based in St. Paul, to conduct the investigation. Repeated calls to NeuVest were not returned.

Since the classroom incident, a group of parents has been pushing for changes in York's Room 115 that they say will make it safer for their children.

A substitute teacher has taken over the classroom since York left, and the district has added an aide to help in the classroom.

Last week, the school principal sent a letter to the first-grade parents telling them that the substitute would continue to teach the children in the new year and that an aide will remain in the classroom.

"I hope they can get it resolved, and she can come back," said Jody Nelson, whose daughter was pushed into a desk by the boy on Nov. 9. "It gets more and more painful and difficult to understand for the children."

Allie Shah • 612-673-4488