Teacher files religious discrimination suit
| Wednesday, May 20 2009 05:31 PM
Last Updated Thursday, May 21 2009 12:06 PM
California Education Code Section 220-221.1
"No person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic..."
Bruce Neal, a 20-year teacher and local rabbi, is suing the Edison School District claiming discrimination on the basis of religion, age, gender and hostile work environment.
In documents filed this month in U.S. District Court in Fresno, Neal alleges that former Orangewood Elementary School Principal Mark Holmes "intentionally and unlawfully harassed, discriminated and retaliated against him" between 1999 and 2008.
An ordained orthodox rabbi, Neal wears tzitzit, or fringes, at the corners of his garments at all times, as required by Jewish law.
In his complaint, Neal said he was forced to remove his yarmulke. Orthodox Jews observe a law that they cover their head at all times.
Neal said he was criticized for his diet and religious clothing and subjected to negative comments from co-workers about his being Jewish.
Neal believes applications for promotions and extra work were denied based on his religion.
Edison Superintendent Stephen M. Ventura declined to comment on the case.
Ventura, who did not work for the district at the time of the alleged discrimination, said the district does not tolerate discrimination against employees or students.
Holmes resigned from the district in January 2008, shortly after he received an official Notice of Unprofessional Conduct letter, and was informed the Edison school board would investigate his actions.
The sharply worded notice, signed by Mike Butcher, interim district superintendent at the time, told Holmes he had fostered an environment where teachers were free to "terrorize, gossip, tattle."
Jean Bornstein, a former teacher in the district, also filed a complaint based on religious discrimination.
Three teachers in the district received Notice of Unprofessional Conduct letters for their part in gossiping about the investigation.
Neal teaches second grade at Orangewood Elementary School. Previously, he taught for 10 years at Edison Middle School. The district, on the east side of Bakersfield, serves about 1,100 students in its two schools.
At the same time that Holmes was under investigation, Edison Superintendent Cheri Sanders was found to have mishandled district funds to pay for alcohol, supplies and travel expenses. Sanders resigned in 2008 at the end of the inquiry.
Neal's complaint notes that Sanders responded to his complaints of anti-semitism by telling him if he "didn't like it, he should quit."
Neal said he has no complaints about current Superintendent Ventura.
The district once was a place where teachers and parents could rely on each other and the schools were a welcoming place, and he'd like to see that again, Neal said.
Nevertheless, he wants to "throw names at the board" and stir the pot.
"This shouldn't happen," Neal said, rapping his knuckles against the suit.
