In the news: teacher forced out, files suit

December 24, 2009 10:11 am by

Madison High School teacher Val Gogoleski has filed a complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, claiming Portland Public Schools failed to provide accommodations for her disability and forced her to retire three years early.

In a story in today’s Portland Tribune, Jennifer Anderson reports that Gogoleski also filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and will file a lawsuit against the district.

Gogoleski, who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, says the district was slow to provide two out of three accommodations she requested (a phone and elevator access) and refused a third: a schedule with two prep periods.

Gogoleski was outspoken about district decisions she disagreed with, including during a recent controversy on hiring a new principal at Madison. “Speaking up as an employee means paying a price,” wrote Gogoleski on this blog last May.

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Steve Rawley published PPS Equity from 2008 to 2010, when he moved his family out of the district.

filed under: Labor Relations, Madison High, Media

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2 Responses

  1. Comment from John B. Tang:
    December 25th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    Dear Ms. Gogoleski:

    I applaud your decision to stand up for your rights and for what you believe!!!!

    Merry Christmas!!!

  2. Comment from Carrie Adams:
    December 25th, 2009 at 11:48 pm

    I’ve never worked for or know of any organization that treats its staff as badly as PPS treat their employees.

    I can say from experience that employees who speak out suffer consequences for it.

    How sad for Gogoleski that her career ended on a sour note. Unfortunately her force out is a common occurrence for PPS.