Landon School Faces $2 Million Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination

A former official has filed a $2 million wrongful termination lawsuit against the school, alleging retaliation for reporting discrimination against Hispanic employees, according to a press release and a Gazette report.

The Landon School has denied the allegations.

The suit was filed Thursday in Montgomery County Circuit Court by Timothy Harrison, Landon’s former chief financial officer and chief operating officer, according to The Gazette. It alleges Harrison was fired after opposing discrimination against Hispanic employees by the school’s building and grounds supervisor and grounds foreman, The Gazette reports.

On May 17, five Hispanic school employees filed declarations with the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, claiming the supervisors made fun of the employees and called them by ethnic slurs, according to The Gazette.

Harrison’s lawsuit claims Landon Headmaster David Armstrong ignored his reports about the discrimination. "I wanted to help the men who worked hard for me and for Landon, but Mr. Armstrong would not allow me to fire two supervisors who have problems with their multicultural workforce,” Harrison said in a press release. “When I persisted, Landon turned on me."

The Landon School released the following statement to Patch:

"As a matter of policy, Landon does not comment on personnel issues regarding either current or former staff, faculty or administrators. The School has a longstanding commitment to treat all members of the community -- employees, students and others -- fairly and without regard to race, ethnicity or gender. Landon has policies and procedures in place that ensure that reports of improper behavior are considered promptly and fully, and appropriate actions are taken.

The School denies Mr. Harrison's allegations, which the School believes are both inaccurate and misleading, and will defend itself accordingly.”

Read the full story at The Gazette.