Cook County: school superintendent was fired because he's gay
Sat. July 31, 2010 7:24 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Midlothian, Ill. -
A school district in south suburban Midlothian fired a superintendent because he is gay, the Cook County Human Rights Commission ruled.
Bremen Community School District 228 Supt. Rich Mitchell was given a four-year contract in 2005. A year later, he was fired.
"The findings clearly illustrate that school boards can't be in the business of firing teachers or administrators because they are gay," Mitchell's attorney, Christopher Clark told the Southtown Star. "After years of investigation, this case can finally proceed to a full hearing."
The case will now be heard by the full board.
Mitchell claims that he was unable to get any work done once Evelyn Gleason was elected school board president, which was shortly after his contract was renewed.
Mitchell said he was told to fix the district, but then not allowed to implement any new programs. That's when Gleason's son's law firm declared his contract extension invalid and the district kicked him out.
"That ruling was fairly expected because the standard is so low. All they have to determine is if there is more than a scintilla of evidence that discrimination may have taken place," District 228 attorney Ray Hauser said.
Bremen Community School District 228 Supt. Rich Mitchell was given a four-year contract in 2005. A year later, he was fired.
"The findings clearly illustrate that school boards can't be in the business of firing teachers or administrators because they are gay," Mitchell's attorney, Christopher Clark told the Southtown Star. "After years of investigation, this case can finally proceed to a full hearing."
The case will now be heard by the full board.
Mitchell claims that he was unable to get any work done once Evelyn Gleason was elected school board president, which was shortly after his contract was renewed.
Mitchell said he was told to fix the district, but then not allowed to implement any new programs. That's when Gleason's son's law firm declared his contract extension invalid and the district kicked him out.
"That ruling was fairly expected because the standard is so low. All they have to determine is if there is more than a scintilla of evidence that discrimination may have taken place," District 228 attorney Ray Hauser said.