Lumberton, NC

Lumberton, NC: (Aug-20-07) Three employees, Josephine Locklear, Renee Hammonds, and Margaret Chavis, filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Lumberton School District. The suit, filed in 2004, claimed that the women were among 14 employees whose contracts were not renewed at the end of the 2002-2003 school year. Some on the board said personnel changes were needed at the central office before former Superintendent Colin Armstrong arrived. Others on the board complained that the board was overstepping its authority and stripping the central office of experienced educators. The women filed a lawsuit in March 2004 claiming they were retaliated against because they supported former Superintendent Barry Harding. At the time, the board had several public spats with Harding. It voted to buy out his contract in 2002. The women, who are American Indian, also said they were not rehired because of their complaints about racial practices in the school system.

In an out of court settlement reached, the school board agreed to pay the three employees $165,823. Chavis received $70,823; Hammonds received $45,000; and Locklear $50,000. [THE ROBESONIAN: EMPLOYEE RETALIATION]

Legal Help

If you have a similar problem and would like to be contacted by a lawyer at no cost or obligation, please click the link below.
Published on Aug-21-07