JCPS braces for more discrimination lawsuits

Jefferson City Public Schools administration will soon be named in two discrimination lawsuits, Kansas City attorney Dennis Egan confirmed to ABC 17 News.

Egan represents Tammy Ferry and Dr. Gretchen Guitard, two JCPS employees who say they were the victims of discrimination and retaliation.

Lawyers for JCPS filed two lawsuits attempting to block the Missouri Human Rights Commission’s issuance of right-to-sue letters for Ferry and Guitard.

Less than a year ago, a jury ruled in favor of a similar lawsuit filed by Karen Ray, who claimed that she was bullied and forced out of her job.

Ferry testified in that case, in which Ray was awarded $225,000 in punitive damages.

Ferry’s lawsuit claims that the retaliation by administrators got worse after her testimony in May 2016.

A spokesperson for JCPS said district policy prohibits administrators from making a statement on pending litigation.

No hearings have been scheduled in either case.