JC School District is being sued by former employee

Karen Ray, a veteran journalism teacher at Jefferson City High School claims principal Jeff Dodson bullied her and intimidated her into resigning.

She did leave the district at the end of last school year.

Dodson announced he was leaving just this week.

Ray’s claims don’t just stop with bullying, though. She claims other administrators even assaulted her in front of other teachers. The suit claims there were several occasions where former principal Jeff Dodson harassed and discriminated her at school.

Ray claims she quit after being told she was being replaced by a male co-worker with little experience. During the time it took for her to officially quit, Ray claims Dodson made statements such as, “He needs to get rid of the old, dead weight around here.”

Ray claims the principal said new teachers will be best for this school year and for the students. The district did hire 90 new teachers for this school year and one student said there has been a learning curve.

“Sometimes they don’t really know what their plan is… It seems like they really don’t know how to handle the kids,” said one Jefferson City High School student.

Ray even claims Dodson threatened to call her new school to tell them that she was a “troublemaker”. As far as the assault claims- these would have to be determined via video surveillance. Ray claims another administrator threw paper at her.

Ray is suing for sex discrimination, age discrimination and constructive discharge.

The school districts attorney, Thomas Mickes, said last Friday he filed a motion to dismiss the claim. Mickes also said since the district is a public entity, it should have immunity under Missouri Law.

Ray was an employee at the district since 2009.