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Employee files lawsuit against Idaho's Middleton School District, claiming retaliation

Idaho Statesman - 6/27/2020

Jun. 26--A lawsuit was filed against the Middleton School District on Wednesday, alleging that the district violated workplace discrimination laws based on disability.

Kelli Hudson filed the complaint in federal court. It outlines how she filed a complaint with the Idaho Human Rights Commission on March 20, 2018, and it granted her the right to sue on March 26, 2020. Hudson alleges retaliation and discrimination.

The complaint revolves around the history of Hudson's case, which dates to when she broke her ankle at home in February 2017. Hudson claims that her health care provider at the time recommended she take two weeks off work while the ankle healed.

Hudson said she requested the time off, saying a substitute would be needed, and offered her daughter to work as a substitute. The Middleton High School principal, Mike Williams, agreed, according to the complaint.

In May, Hudson's health care provider said her ankle was not significantly healing and she would need more time off, but Hudson said she wanted to work. The health care provider sent an additional letter to the school district clarifying that, according to the complaint. In response, Williams allegedly sent her a letter saying her accounts would be suspended and her position as an adviser would be terminated.

Ultimately, Hudson was reassigned to a different teaching position, but she filed a civil rights grievance with the district, alleging a violation of Title VII and district policy.

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Hudson alleges that the district retaliated against her by changing her teaching assignment, not allowing her to participate in her performance evaluation, ending her supplemental contract as an adviser and threatening the employment of her daughter.

She claims the district violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by taking adverse action after hearing from her medical provider.

The district has not responded to the complaint and declined to comment on Friday.

The lawsuit comes amid turbulence at the Middleton School District. A new superintendent was appointed after the previous superintendent resigned abruptly, followed by two trustees.

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