School employee alleges discrimination based on race, color, disability
An employer provided legitimate reasons – including an alleged privacy violation, insubordination, and failure to follow official directives – for its decision not to renew a worker’s contract, the Texas Court of Appeals said in a recent case.
The plaintiff was working as an assistant principal at High Point East Middle School for the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE). In May 2017, he had a physical altercation with a student. He alleged that he was injured in the altercation, filed a criminal charge against the student, and asked for workers’ compensation benefits from HCDE.
HCDE denied the requested benefits and assault leave. It disciplined the principal upon finding that he was the one who instigated the altercation.
In June 2017, the assistant principal filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. HCDE committed retaliation when it denied the benefits due to his opposition against the age and disability discrimination that another employee faced, he alleged. There was also racial discrimination when the school principal allowed the investigating officer to have a “false view” that the principal was the one who provoked the altercation, he added.
In October 2017, the principal brought a lawsuit against HCDE. He claimed violations of Texas Labor Code, the Texas Government Code, the Texas Constitution, and the Texas Whistleblower Act. He also filed a...
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