BEAUMONT – Race was not a motivating factor when the Port Arthur Independent School District opted not to renew a white teacher’s employment contract, a jury recently found.
Plaintiff Ingrid Shores filed suit against PAISD on Dec. 23, 2014 in Jefferson County District Court. Nearly two years later, the case was called up for trial on Dec. 12.
In her suit, Shores alleged the district terminated her for engaging in protected free speech. Shores further argued the district made decisions concerning her employment and advancement based on the color of her skin.
However, on Dec. 19 a Jefferson County jury disagreed, finding that race was not a motivating factor.
On Dec. 20, Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, signed off on a final judgment accepting the jury’s findings, court records show.
Missouri City attorney Larry Watts represents Shores.
Case No. D-196538