Audrey Dudek says she was let go after administrators found out her boyfriend (now husband) is black.
Another story that has us checking the calendar to make sure it is 2015, not 1955. Former Orange County, Florida teacher Audrey Dudek says that despite a shortage of math teachers, she was unfairly fired for after administrators learned her
boyfriend (now husband) is black:
Tzuanos' firm is representing Audrey Dudek, the teacher who was let go in 2013. According to the lawsuit, the school's principal at the time and assistant principal treated her differently "because she closely associated with non-whites," according to a report. The lawsuit alleged that school officials were "shocked and offended" when they learned her now husband, Stacey, was black and that her classroom was called "Club Audrey" because she played "black music" and associated with non-white faculty members.
"The assistant principal complained to her to her face, talking to, and I quote, those people referring to black members of the faculty and staff," Tzuanos said.
The lawsuit claimed Dudek's performance reviews were manipulated, and that she was subjected to a racially charged skit performed by white faculty members, who allegedly wore black face, Afro wigs, gold teeth and baggy clothing.
The school district maintains Dudek was
not discriminated against:
"The district denies all allegations of discrimination by Ms. Dudek," wrote spokeswoman Shari Bobinski in an email. "The district will not comment any further due to pending litigation."
Bobinski's email did not address why Dudek wasn't reappointed but said non-tenured teachers are not guaranteed another annual contract even if they are deemed effective in their annual evaluations.
Dudek's lawsuit contends her evaluation was manipulated:
He "manipulated" her evaluation so she would receive a raw score of 2.9. The district can non-reappoint teachers who receive raw scores of less than 3.0, according to the suit.
Nonetheless, her
case is moving forward:
The Florida Commission on Human Rights investigated and the state found there is reason to believe Dudek was "treated differently based on her gender and race association."
You can get more details on the lawsuit at
WESH.com.