The Journal Star reports today that former Peoria Public School Superintendent Kay Royster is suing the school board (and board members Aaron Schock, Vince Wieland, Sean Matheson, and Mary Spangler individually) for racial discrimination.
Read the case for yourself
(13-page PDF file):
Kay Royster Suit against District 150
Everything I read in the suit can be explained based on performance issues rather than racial discrimination (in my opinion), except for this:
In approximately October 2002, less than three months after her contract period began, a meeting of Board Members was organized to discuss terminating Royster. Board members Allen and Martha Ross were not invited to the meeting. Both Allen and Ross are African-Americans.
If that allegation is true, it certainly is damning. Why would Allen and Ross be excluded if it were a mere performance issue? It will be interesting to follow this case and see the evidence presented during trial, assuming the parties don’t settle out of court before then. Royster has demanded a jury trial.
Meanwhile, the children of district 150 continue to be the ultimate losers in this battle. No matter whose fault it is, money that should be going to provide the best education for the students is instead going to lawyers.
She used her race to get where she is and she’ll use her race to get where she wants to go.
Al Sharpton with a vagina.
two months after she started? I really wish we knew more about why they canned her…
Jethro, I agree. Maybe that will come out if this case ever goes to trial. It does seem curious that they wanted to fire her so soon after hiring her.