United States Federal court house in Greenbelt Maryland.
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NOTICE: UPDATE
The above trial has been postponed or delayed until around January 27, 2015. We will keep you updated our readers. Stay tuned. Read more >>>Trial delayed.
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A civil lawsuit filed by Dr. Ruth Johnson against the Prince George’s county public schools (Pgcps) will go to trial starting on August 5th, 2014 at 10:00 am until Friday August 8th, 2014 in GreenBelt Federal court.
Jury selection will be held in the morning of August 5th, 2014 and the trial will commence that afternoon continuing until August 8th, 2014. Dr. Ruth Johnson claims she was retaliated against when she reported what she believed were inappropriate acts by the administration of former Superintendent Dr. William Hite jr. The Board of Education created a hostile work environment when Dr. Johnson mobilized her colleagues at Largo High school to oppose the illegal acts which were taking place. (Mr. James Small-Wood and Dr. William Hite Jr who covered up the crimes have since fled in different directions after exposure in this blog).
Dr. Ruth Johnson, who is an African American was a guidance counselor at Largo High school. She alleges that she was racially harassed by Principal Angelique Simpson-Marcus (pictured below). On February 28, 2014, a federal jury, at the Greenbelt, MD federal courthouse, issued a verdict that means Prince George’s County Public Schools can be found liable under Title VI for race discrimination and retaliation. Specifically, the jury decided that Prince George’s County Public School received federal assistance, starting in 2009, which had the primary objective of providing employment. In 2009, PGCPS, which has a annual budget of approximately $1.7 billion, received $140 million in federal stimulus funds which it used to avert laying off hundreds of teachers and other school workers.
The standard of prove under Title VI is the same as under Title VII, except Title VII has a cap on damages of $300,000 while Title VI has no cap on damages.
Dr. Johnson was hired by PGCPS and assigned to Largo High School in 2003. In August 2009, Principal Simpson-Marcus transferred Dr. Johnson to another school against her will. Principal Simpson-Marcus bragged to her staff about transferring Dr. Johnson to another school. While at the new school, Dr. Johnson’s office was not close to a bathroom.
Prince George’s County Public Schools has resisted Dr. Johnson’s effort to be transferred back to Largo High School.
PGCEA Breached Its Duty of Fair Representation
Following her transfer, Dr. Johnson filed a grievance with PGCEA against Principal Simpson-Marcus. Jimelatice Gilbert-Thomas, a PGCEA Uniserv director, informed Dr. Johnson that the involuntary transfer violated the Negotiated Agreement. However, the PGCEA refused to take Dr. Johnson’s grievance to arbitration, the next step called for in the Negotiated Agreement. On several occasions, Dr. Johnson heard Principal Simpson-Marcus brag about her good relationship with Ms. Gilbert-Thomas and challenge teachers and staff to file complaints against her with PGCEA.
If Dr. Ruth Johnson wins her case, it could mean a return to Largo High school. Read more >>>> Ruth Johnson
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When: On August 5th, 2014 to August 8th, 2014
Time: 10:00 AM Jury Trial
Parties: Johnson v. Prince George’s Board of Education
Federal Case #: PJM 11-1195
Venue: Courtroom: 4C
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NOTICE: UPDATE
The above trial has been postponed or delayed until January 27, 2015. We will keep you updated our readers. Stay tuned.
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Dr. Angelique Simpson-Marcus, Ed.D. (Violated civil rights of employees willfully)
angel.simpsonmarcus@pgcps.org
Principal
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