Teacher who was called ‘white trash’ wins $350,000 lawsuit
A former Maryland teacher has won a $350,000 jury award after accusing the school system of discriminating against him because he is white.
In his lawsuit against the Prince County George’s school board, Jon Everhart alleged that a black principal forced him out of his job because of his race.
“Justice was served,” Everhart said. “I do feel as though I have been vindicated.”
Everhart, 65, speaking by phone from Ohio after the verdict in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, said he faced years of racial harassment from the Largo High School principal, who he said repeatedly told staffers and students that she planned to fire him.
“She called me ‘poor white trash’ and ‘white b—-,’ ” Everhart said of the principal, Angelique Simpson-Marcus, who leads the 1,100-student school in Upper Marlboro. “Her behavior was so outlandish.”
Simpson-Marcus said in an interview that the allegations are baseless. She declined to comment on the reason for Everhart’s termination, but she said the complaints of ill treatment and retaliation were “unfounded.” “I never said any of those things,” she said. “I don’t use that kind of language.”
Due to ongoing litigation, a spokesman for the Prince George’s County school system could not comment. They have 30 days to respond to the judge’s orders and could file an appeal.
Everhart was fired in 2010, and sued the district soon after. He was one of several Largo High School employees who made allegations of harassment. Some who filed lawsuits said they were mistreated for vocally supporting Everhart.
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