Ex-Pennsylvania School Official Files Discrimination Suit

A northeastern Pennsylvania school employee who ran a cultural enrichment program designed to improve race relations has sued his former employer citing racial discrimination.

Retired Pocono Mountain School District employee Lamar Thomas Sr. sued the district last week in federal court. He claims he was subjected to racially motivated criticism and had his job reclassified without legal representation afforded to white and younger peers.

The 61-year-old Thomas told the Stroudsburg Pocono Record many of his efforts, including a program using art to increase racial inclusiveness, were met with resistance by other staff.

District officials deny Thomas’ claims. School district lawyer John Freund says Thomas’ job was reclassified as part of the collective bargaining unit because of a state order.