HOUSTON - Claiming the Houston Independent School District refused to hire him because of his Namibian nationality, Hermunth Shiimi has filed a lawsuit.
Recent court documents submitted Oct. 22 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas show HISD turned Shiimi down for an associate teacher position though he asserts to have the accolades, skills and qualifications for the job in question.
The school district's board of trustees is also being sued.
According to the original petition, the defendants did not hire Shiimi because he was born in Namibia and "that students would not understand the plaintiff because he (spoke) with a dialect."
He adds HISD falsely accused him of providing negative information on his online application as well as making untrue statements.
Despite having bachelor's and master's degrees, three Texas teacher certificates and 18 years of teaching experience, Shiimi explains, the respondents passed him over for less qualified individuals including "some who do not even have a Texas teacher certificate."
The school district "does not have a legitimate non-discriminatory reason" to reject the complainant and "acted with an evil intent," the suit says.
Consequently, he seeks $250,000 in damages and a jury trial.
Shiimi is representing himself.
Case No. 4:12-CV-3182
Suit: Houston school district did not hire man because of Namibian nationality
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