Why are FCPS teachers suing their former principal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Libel - A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.

Defamation - A false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions.

Now who's trying to bully people into staying quiet. I hope your not working for FCPS or Lemmon...javascript:void(0);

I'm not, but I can imagine how embarassing it might be to be on "Team Rachel" and then ending up having to testify under oath as to whether you had ever suggested on sites like this that Ms. Lemmon had filled out surveys intended for teachers or otherwise manipulated the survey results.

You sound ridiculous. A person can suggest whatever the hell they want on a site or in the comments section of a newspaper. Sheesh.

Keep telling yourself that, but you are quite misguided and it may come back to bite you in the ass some day.

[Anonymous]

why all the threats? I am sure the plaintiffs have been told by counsel to refrain from these conversations, so lets assume they are not making these accusations, because why would they do that here if they are going to all the trouble, expense, turmoil to file.... Why try to squelch? Why would you assume they are not true?

[Anonymous]

Ms. Lemmon sounds like she needs to find a new career.

And shame on FCPS for allowing this to escalate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why all the threats? I am sure the plaintiffs have been told by counsel to refrain from these conversations, so lets assume they are not making these accusations, because why would they do that here if they are going to all the trouble, expense, turmoil to file.... Why try to squelch? Why would you assume they are not true?

They are not experience the “expense.” No doubt they have teacher’s associations behind them footing the bill on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why all the threats? I am sure the plaintiffs have been told by counsel to refrain from these conversations, so lets assume they are not making these accusations, because why would they do that here if they are going to all the trouble, expense, turmoil to file.... Why try to squelch? Why would you assume they are not true?

They are not experience the “expense.” No doubt they have teacher’s associations behind them footing the bill on that.

^^ “experiencing"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why all the threats? I am sure the plaintiffs have been told by counsel to refrain from these conversations, so lets assume they are not making these accusations, because why would they do that here if they are going to all the trouble, expense, turmoil to file.... Why try to squelch? Why would you assume they are not true?

They are not experience the “expense.” No doubt they have teacher’s associations behind them footing the bill on that.

^^ “experiencing"

Rachel Charlton, clearly the main plaintiff in this case, is not a teacher, and thus not a member of any teacher association. She is an administrator. She might be a member of the Fairfax Association of Elementary School Principals. As a side note, Marie Lemmon was the president of that association last school year.

One of the other plaintiffs now works in a neighboring jurisdiction, so he could not be a member of any Fairfax County teacher association. And the child plaintiff obviously could not be a member. That leaves the other teacher (the one with the PhD) who continues to teach in FCPS. Perhaps she is a member of one of the teacher associations. And if so, it's unclear if a teacher association would be paying her legal bill. She still has a teaching position and there's been no mention in any of the court documents that she received a poor or unfair evaluation. I doubt any association would pick up the tab on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why all the threats? I am sure the plaintiffs have been told by counsel to refrain from these conversations, so lets assume they are not making these accusations, because why would they do that here if they are going to all the trouble, expense, turmoil to file.... Why try to squelch? Why would you assume they are not true?

They are not experience the “expense.” No doubt they have teacher’s associations behind them footing the bill on that.

^^ “experiencing"

Rachel Charlton, clearly the main plaintiff in this case, is not a teacher, and thus not a member of any teacher association. She is an administrator. She might be a member of the Fairfax Association of Elementary School Principals. As a side note, Marie Lemmon was the president of that association last school year.

One of the other plaintiffs now works in a neighboring jurisdiction, so he could not be a member of any Fairfax County teacher association. And the child plaintiff obviously could not be a member. That leaves the other teacher (the one with the PhD) who continues to teach in FCPS. Perhaps she is a member of one of the teacher associations. And if so, it's unclear if a teacher association would be paying her legal bill. She still has a teaching position and there's been no mention in any of the court documents that she received a poor or unfair evaluation. I doubt any association would pick up the tab on this.

Then you don’t know teachers’ associations. And, Charlton can still be a member of a teacher’s association, even if she is an administrator.

[Anonymous]

Hi all. Just wanted to let you know that I have a phone call scheduled with Fabio Zuluago, Asst. Supt. for our region, on Monday afternoon to discuss my concerns around all that it going on with Marie Lemmon. I would encourage all with concerns to contact him via phone or email. They need to know that parents are concerned about this and that we demand better for our children. I don't know a good way to get a message out to all parents, so word of (virtual) mouth seems to be the best way to go.

When I contacted him, I let him know that I was concerned that Fairfax County Public Schools has not responded to this incident at all, as well as the fact that parents are not saying or doing anything because they fear how their kids will be treated during the school day. I have my own examples of her mistreatment and poor decision making that I will also share.

This seems to be a pattern of behavior with Ms. Lemmon and in such a wonderfully diverse community as ours, I just can't see how she is the right person to be leading our school, and quite frankly raises some serious concerns about other administrators who have been at Bailey's for some time.

Please feel free to contact me if you want to discuss, ask questions, share your own experience.

You can also become part of a new Yahoo group which we are hoping will be a place for more open discussion. Simply send an email with subscribe in the subject line to: [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all. Just wanted to let you know that I have a phone call scheduled with Fabio Zuluago, Asst. Supt. for our region, on Monday afternoon to discuss my concerns around all that it going on with Marie Lemmon. I would encourage all with concerns to contact him via phone or email. They need to know that parents are concerned about this and that we demand better for our children. I don't know a good way to get a message out to all parents, so word of (virtual) mouth seems to be the best way to go.

When I contacted him, I let him know that I was concerned that Fairfax County Public Schools has not responded to this incident at all, as well as the fact that parents are not saying or doing anything because they fear how their kids will be treated during the school day. I have my own examples of her mistreatment and poor decision making that I will also share.

This seems to be a pattern of behavior with Ms. Lemmon and in such a wonderfully diverse community as ours, I just can't see how she is the right person to be leading our school, and quite frankly raises some serious concerns about other administrators who have been at Bailey's for some time.

Please feel free to contact me if you want to discuss, ask questions, share your own experience.

You can also become part of a new Yahoo group which we are hoping will be a place for more open discussion. Simply send an email with subscribe in the subject line to: [e-mail]

Thanks for spreading the word and for speaking up for the kids of Fairfax county!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why all the threats? I am sure the plaintiffs have been told by counsel to refrain from these conversations, so lets assume they are not making these accusations, because why would they do that here if they are going to all the trouble, expense, turmoil to file.... Why try to squelch? Why would you assume they are not true?

They are not experience the “expense.” No doubt they have teacher’s associations behind them footing the bill on that.

^^ “experiencing"

Rachel Charlton, clearly the main plaintiff in this case, is not a teacher, and thus not a member of any teacher association. She is an administrator. She might be a member of the Fairfax Association of Elementary School Principals. As a side note, Marie Lemmon was the president of that association last school year.

One of the other plaintiffs now works in a neighboring jurisdiction, so he could not be a member of any Fairfax County teacher association. And the child plaintiff obviously could not be a member. That leaves the other teacher (the one with the PhD) who continues to teach in FCPS. Perhaps she is a member of one of the teacher associations. And if so, it's unclear if a teacher association would be paying her legal bill. She still has a teaching position and there's been no mention in any of the court documents that she received a poor or unfair evaluation. I doubt any association would pick up the tab on this.

Then you don’t know teachers’ associations. And, Charlton can still be a member of a teacher’s association, even if she is an administrator.

Teachers unions do not pay legal fees. The most they'll do is offer referrals to attorneys who may discount their services if the teacher is the DEFENDANT.

[Anonymous]

New Washington Post article......


Fairfax seeks to dismiss teachers’ lawsuit alleging principal’s bias


By T. Rees Shapiro October 29 at 7:42 PM
Lawyers representing Fairfax County public schools filed motions to dismiss and split up a federal lawsuit against the school system and a principal who teachers allege discriminated against them based on religious affiliation, gender and race.

The case centers on the alleged actions of Bailey’s Elementary School Principal Marie Lemmon, who remains in charge of Bailey’s, which has 1,400 students and is the largest elementary school in the county. A former assistant principal, two former teachers and a student filed a lawsuit against the school system last month alleging that the principal treated them unfairly.

Rachel Charlton, a former assistant principal at Bailey’s, is Jewish and claims that while she was pregnant Lemmon treated her harshly. Former teachers Yolanda Calhoun and Shyrone Stith and J.C., a minor who attended Bailey’s, allege that Lemmon, who is white, discriminated against them because they are black.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria because Bailey’s receives federal Title I funding, as many of the school’s students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a measure of poverty. The vast majority of the students are Hispanic and qualify for English as a second language training.

Charlton claims that Lemmon, who joined Bailey’s in 2012, insulted her for breast-feeding and limited her opportunities for promotion after she returned from maternity leave. Calhoun alleges that Lemmon replaced her on the staff with a younger and less-qualified white teacher, and Stith claims that the principal decided against hiring him for a permanent position because he would not fit in at the school as a black man. The teachers and the student are seeking compensatory and punitive damages from the school system.

Schools spokesman John Torre has said that the administration will not comment on the pending lawsuit, saying only that the school system “has a strict anti-discrimination policy and takes all allegations of discrimination very seriously.”

The two motions filed Oct. 24 — the first time the county has publicly opposed the allegations — ask for the court to dismiss the lawsuit and to sever the claims between Charlton and the other defendants. Attorneys for the county say that the lawsuit should be thrown out largely on a technicality: They say the teachers are suing the wrong entity.

The lawsuit was originally filed against Fairfax County public schools. But the county school system claims that the system itself cannot be sued. Instead, it is usually the Fairfax County School Board, the 12-member elected government body, that addresses such litigation.

The administration’s attorneys also say that even if the teachers had sued the correct entity, the School Board is immune from paying out punitive damages in federal cases.

The schools’ attorneys also seek to separate the claims made by Charlton, Calhoun, Stith and the student. The lawyers say that the defendants “involve differing issues of law and facts” and want the court to proceed on three separate claims, with Calhoun and the student’s remaining together, since the juvenile is Calhoun’s stepdaughter.

Lemmon has received positive reviews on teacher job satisfaction surveys and has been credited by administration leaders for assisting in a smooth transition to a new school building.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-seeks-to-dismiss-teachers-lawsuit-alleging-principals-bias/2014/10/29/1a6ba498-5fa2-11e4-8b9e-2ccdac31a031_story.html

[Anonymous]

Teachers unions do not pay legal fees. The most they'll do is offer referrals to attorneys who may discount their services if the teacher is the DEFENDANT

WRONG. That is one of the carrots offered for membership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New Washington Post article......


Fairfax seeks to dismiss teachers’ lawsuit alleging principal’s bias


By T. Rees Shapiro October 29 at 7:42 PM
Lawyers representing Fairfax County public schools filed motions to dismiss and split up a federal lawsuit against the school system and a principal who teachers allege discriminated against them based on religious affiliation, gender and race.

The case centers on the alleged actions of Bailey’s Elementary School Principal Marie Lemmon, who remains in charge of Bailey’s, which has 1,400 students and is the largest elementary school in the county. A former assistant principal, two former teachers and a student filed a lawsuit against the school system last month alleging that the principal treated them unfairly.

Rachel Charlton, a former assistant principal at Bailey’s, is Jewish and claims that while she was pregnant Lemmon treated her harshly. Former teachers Yolanda Calhoun and Shyrone Stith and J.C., a minor who attended Bailey’s, allege that Lemmon, who is white, discriminated against them because they are black.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria because Bailey’s receives federal Title I funding, as many of the school’s students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a measure of poverty. The vast majority of the students are Hispanic and qualify for English as a second language training.

Charlton claims that Lemmon, who joined Bailey’s in 2012, insulted her for breast-feeding and limited her opportunities for promotion after she returned from maternity leave. Calhoun alleges that Lemmon replaced her on the staff with a younger and less-qualified white teacher, and Stith claims that the principal decided against hiring him for a permanent position because he would not fit in at the school as a black man. The teachers and the student are seeking compensatory and punitive damages from the school system.

Schools spokesman John Torre has said that the administration will not comment on the pending lawsuit, saying only that the school system “has a strict anti-discrimination policy and takes all allegations of discrimination very seriously.”

The two motions filed Oct. 24 — the first time the county has publicly opposed the allegations — ask for the court to dismiss the lawsuit and to sever the claims between Charlton and the other defendants. Attorneys for the county say that the lawsuit should be thrown out largely on a technicality: They say the teachers are suing the wrong entity.

The lawsuit was originally filed against Fairfax County public schools. But the county school system claims that the system itself cannot be sued. Instead, it is usually the Fairfax County School Board, the 12-member elected government body, that addresses such litigation.

The administration’s attorneys also say that even if the teachers had sued the correct entity, the School Board is immune from paying out punitive damages in federal cases.

The schools’ attorneys also seek to separate the claims made by Charlton, Calhoun, Stith and the student. The lawyers say that the defendants “involve differing issues of law and facts” and want the court to proceed on three separate claims, with Calhoun and the student’s remaining together, since the juvenile is Calhoun’s stepdaughter.

Lemmon has received positive reviews on teacher job satisfaction surveys and has been credited by administration leaders for assisting in a smooth transition to a new school building.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-seeks-to-dismiss-teachers-lawsuit-alleging-principals-bias/2014/10/29/1a6ba498-5fa2-11e4-8b9e-2ccdac31a031_story.html

Interestingly the last portion of the Post article was NOT included in the above post:
"But the teachers claim that she made disparaging remarks in their presence. Charlton alleges that Lemmon said that women should not breast-feed because “we do not live in a third-world country like Africa,” according to the lawsuit.

The administration’s attorneys say that “RUDE, ABRUPT, AND ARROGANT" BEHAVIOR behavior does not necessarily support an employee’s claims of a hostile work environment, citing previous legal precedent. The lawyers also point out that Charlton was offered the opportunity to transfer from Bailey’s and declined.

That conduct is hardly consistent with a severe and pervasive” hostile work environment, the school system’s attorneys argued in their motion."

"RUDE, ABRUPT, AND ARROGANT" BEHAVIORis the norm of the principal. Regardless of the lawsuit, such behavior is unacceptable in a professional workplace and DOES support the claim of a hostile work environment. Just ask anyone (other than the administration) who works or sends their children to the school. FCPS should do something to help improve the atmosphere at the school.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the complaint is going to be dismissed - plaintiffs with different claims and no real damages alleged.

[Anonymous]

I just kind of find it hard to believe that someone would make those comments. Were there witnesses other than the plaintiffs?