Deschutes County, Ore. – A former Sage Elementary School teacher is suing the Redmond School District alleging pregnancy discrimination. The suit is seeking $750,000 according to court records.
Jenalee Piercey was hired by the district in September 2012 as a kindergarten teacher at Sage Elementary, and the lawsuit alleges she was coerced to resign from the school not long after she shared with staff that she was pregnant.
Certain claims in the lawsuit are directed at the district’s human resources director as well as the Redmond School District.
Between fall 2104 and spring 2015, Piercey brought up and relayed her concerns she had about perceived state and federal violations regarding special education, according to court records. Piercey felt that a student was not receiving Individualized Education Program accommodations, and in January 2015, that a student was not allowed to leave the classroom, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit makes gender discrimination claims related to pregnancy, as well as leave interference, and retaliation claims. The lawsuit also alleges retaliation for Piercey’s whistleblowing efforts related to special education.
The school district has not responded yet to the lawsuit. A trial date may be decided at a hearing date in April.