Thomas Ott, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland School District has admitted intimidating and threatening a school psychologist who criticized Chief Executive Officer Eugene Sanders’ new academic reform plan.
Luigina DiNardo-Rose spoke at a school board meeting in March, criticizing a part of the plan that would force teachers at her high school, Lincoln-West, to reapply for jobs with the district. The board approved the “transformation plan” that night.
According to a complaint filed with the State Employment Relations Board, Dinardo-Rose’s supervisor, Linda Neiheiser, called her into an office six days later and told her that several district administrators wanted her to “reconsider” the remarks. The complaint says Neiheiser told DiNardo-Rose that making similar comments could trigger an investigation for insubordination.
The district settled the complaint Aug. 30, a month after the employment relations board referred the complaint to mediation. In the settlement, the district admits threatening and intimidating DiNardo-Rose and promises not to interfere with employees who criticize operations in the future.
District spokeswoman Roseann Canfora did not want to discuss details of the case.
“She had a right to file a complaint,” Canfora said. “We respect the outcome of that process.”
Story Compliments Of The Plain Dealer
