A federal judge from the Western District of Pennsylvania has ruled in favor of an athletic trainer, who sued the Mt. Pleasant Area School District after the district and its employees discriminated against her, on the basis of her sex, age and disability, when they terminated her contract. The defendants hastened a resolution to the litigation by admitting guilt.
Plaintiff Michelle Yackovich, who formerly worked for the Mt. Pleasant Area School District for more than 20 years, alleged, among other violations of anti-discrimination laws, that the school district expressed a preference, both orally and in writing, to hire a male trainer to cover boys’ events, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
She initially filed a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which conducted an investigation and concluded that the school district discriminated against Yackovich because of her sex, age, and perceived disability. The EEOC found dubious the school district’s claims that it saved money by firing Yackovich. Rather, it “actually would have reaped a significant savings” by keeping Yackovich and hiring an assistant, rather than entering a three-year contract with Excela Health.
In fact, an email from the former Superintendent, Terry Struble containing a statement about the preference of a mail trainer was attached to the court complaint. The district’s answer to the complaint did not deny these statements were made. After Yackovich filed her charge of discrimination with the EEOC, the school district held anti-discrimination training for the school board members.
Yackovich was paid $95,001.00, after the district and its former superintendent consented to the entry of judgment against them on all counts, without a trial.
“I am happy the district finally realized it could not continue to pretend it had done nothing wrong, and the entry of this Judgment against the district provides welcome closure to me,” said Yackovich, “It is particularly satisfying that the district conceded early, and paid the Judgment so promptly, rather than making me wait another year for the inevitable jury verdict.”
