The former principal of Booker T. Washington is suing the Port Arthur School District and Superintendent Johnny Brown, alleging she was demoted after exercising her right to free speech.
Cynthia Jackson filed the suit March 15 in Jefferson County District Court.
According to the lawsuit, Jackson, a black female, was initially assigned as Washington principal for the 2010-2011 school year until being reassigned to become one of the first assistant principals at Memorial High School.
The reason given by Brown for the demotion was that she “couldn’t accept change,” the suit states.
“The real reason behind plaintiff’s demotion were her comments to Brown and his wife,” the suit alleges.
“Plaintiff wrote to Brown on February 1, 2013 informing him that her students had been denied services and complaining to Brown about the assignment to BTW of a woman who she had neither needed or requested. The supernumerary female was a reportedly intimate friend of Brown’s who had used in a created position of ‘Assistant to the Superintendent.’”
A month later, she was reassigned on March 18.
Jackson alleges the defendant violated her Texas Constitutional rights and is suing for compensatory damages.
Missouri City attorney Larry Watts represents her.
Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, is assigned to the case.
Case No. E194-159
PAISD, superintendent sued by former principal
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY