DC Teacher Initiates Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Against Michelle Rhee Amidst Mass Firings
Willie J Brewer Jr., a D.C. Public Schools instrumental music teacher who was fired amidst the mass firings by former Chancellor Michelle Rhee, has filed a private lawsuit alleging wrongful termination.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) November 15, 2010
Willie J Brewer Jr., an instrumental music teacher who was fired amidst the mass firings by former Chancellor Michelle Rhee, has filed a private lawsuit alleging wrongful termination. The case was filed yesterday in the D.C. Superior Court case number- 2010 CA 008565 B.
Brewer, who taught for over 25 years in the D.C. Public Schools, alleges in the complaint that he was wrongfully terminated, in part, because the stated reason for his termination, a Reduction-In-Force or (RIF) due to “exceptional budget pressures”, was not truthful or accurate. Brewer alleges that his firing was made in error based upon performance and that his competitive evaluation was based upon a comparison with another teacher in his school who did not teach the same subject, hold the same certification, and who was on the job for only a few days prior to Brewer’s firing.
“Unfortunately, the Washington Teachers' Union lawsuit (DC Superior Court case number- 2009 CA 007482 B), which we hoped would resolve the firing of hundreds of teachers was doomed from the start. For the union to fully represent the interests of the fired teachers presented a conflict of interest because the union represents all the teachers, the old and new, whose respective plights in this situation adversely affect the other group”, says Brewer.
"As a result, a narrow argument regarding budget improprieties was presented to the court. But I believe this