The recently-hired superintendent of Clintondale Community Schools has filed a federal whistleblower lawsuit against his former school district and four board members, alleging they conspired to illegally remove him from his position.
Mark Whelton filed the lawsuit Tuesday, Sept. 29 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan alleging the Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District in Saginaw County violated his employment contract and constitutional rights when the board majority forced him out in March 2026. He was employed as superintendent from July 2018 until March 2026, when the board voted not to renew his contract.
“When Board members engaged or pursued courses of action that Mr. Whelton believed to be improper or violative of law, policy, and/or procedure, he opposed and/or refused to facilitate the furtherance of actions he believed to be unlawful or improper,” the lawsuit states.
Whelton’s attorney, Eric D. Delaporte of Mason, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
According to the 31-page complaint, Bridgeport-Spaulding’s financial picture improved during Whelton’s tenure as it was able to wipe out a $1.8 million budget deficit he had inherited as well as post a $7.3 million fund balance. As a result, the district was relieved of state financial oversight ahead of schedule, the lawsuit says.
The complaint states Whelton opposed what he believed were “improper” actions by board members, including refusing to honor...
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