Attorney responds to Olathe Public Schools harassment declare

OLATHE, Kan. — An Olathe Public Universities employee suggests she was sexually harassed. The administrator she’s accusing nevertheless has a job nonetheless, her law firm says she’s the one dealing with retaliation.

“It’s been exceptionally disturbing for her,” Mark Dugan said.

Dugan is a lover with Dugan Schlozman Attorneys at Legislation and represents the Olathe Public Faculties employee who claims she was harassed.

Dugan said more than the last couple months the 18-calendar year employee’s lifetime has been turned upside down. The lady filed a sexual harassment claim with the district against Wealthy Wilson, the director of curriculum and assessment for the district.

“Rather than make lifestyle superior for her, instead than remove the circumstances they made available her a demotion and later they supplied her a severance. In conjunction with that they presented her to pay her to retain silent about it effectively,” Dugan reported.

The lady promises Wilson seemed at her suggestively, created her awkward on a selection of instances, and in a person instance touched the within of her thigh. That prompted her to file the assert versus. Wilson.

“I feel she was sexually harassed but in this occasion the district’s much more serious conduct was retaliating in opposition to her for filing a sexual harassment claim,” Dugan explained.

Soon after the Title VIII assert was submitted with the district the woman said Wilson submitted a wrongful harassment claim towards her. The district then made available her a virtually $200,000 separation settlement and launch.

FOX4 completely obtained the paperwork. In them there is a confidentiality clause in which if she would have signed she would not have been able to speak about not only the agreement, but what she statements happened to her.

The arrangement provides the woman a yr-and-a-50 percent of pay along with a yrs worth of COBRA advantages. Dugan says she did not indicator the document and when she did not the district created the determination to remove her posture.

“They were likely to do away with her placement. They told her they needed her off the premises promptly and they desired her to work from residence,” Dugan mentioned.

He reported his client is however with the district but is functioning from residence and no for a longer time provided in discussions and choices she otherwise would be.

Dugan mentioned he talked with two other ladies who created identical statements about Wilson and he’s read of a lot more.

Olathe Public Universities would not comment on the separation agreement, or possible retaliation from the lady, but did release a statement in regards to the investigation into her statements.

We acknowledge and regard that cases involving misconduct have with them unique encounters, perspectives and fears. We hardly ever want to belittle or diminish anyone’s particular person ordeals or worries. However, we sense we owe it to our neighborhood to share what we are in a position with regards to the referenced condition and to assure them of our core values as a school district and schooling process. 

Whilst we will not give specific information and facts out of regard for the privateness of these concerned, we can share the pursuing: 

Olathe Community Educational institutions will take any and all allegations of staff members misconduct really significantly and we have procedures and procedures in put to investigate and address them in accordance with our board guidelines, state and federal laws.  

Our target is and often will be to guarantee our personnel truly feel safe and sound and supported at get the job done. 

We are fully commited to delivering each individual employees member because of process. 

As this sort of, the referenced circumstance was thoroughly investigated equally internally and externally, earlier mentioned and beyond what is demanded by law and our board procedures. 

We keep on being steadfast in our commitment to the integrity of our corporation and the main values of the Olathe General public Educational institutions. 

Olathe Community Colleges

Dugan reported the challenge goes past his shopper.

“When there are multiple ladies asserting statements versus 1 man or woman and the district doesn’t reply that’s a genuine issue. It is easier for the district to just say it’s untrue, but at some stage it is just implausible,” Dugan explained.

Dugan mentioned they submitted a claim in December with the Equivalent Employment Possibility Fee and are ready on a reaction. At the time they do he suggests they prepare to file fit towards the district and Wilson.

At Olathe’s Faculty Board assembly on Thursday two girls stood up in the course of public remark to speak out about the allegations from Wilson without naming him.

“How can we as a district say We price diversity, fairness and inclusion and then allow for what is taking place to these girls educators and staff, some of whom are as well worried to even talk up,”  Angela Schreller said. “It’s time to choose a stand and in predatory habits, not your daughter, not your son, not our kids, and I’m likely to include not our educators.”

“This situation necessitates management. Management that doesn’t permit staff members to be dehumanized by other staff,” Sarah Coddington stated. “How lots of workers are influenced, how do we go forward, your employees, your college students, your public want to know that you stand behind the board coverage.”

FOX4 attained out to Wilson immediately about the claims versus him but did not hear back again.