GRETNA – A group of former principals for the Jefferson Parish School Board are suing after they were terminated or demoted from their positions due to new board policies enacted prior to the 2012-13 school year.
Dodie Plaisance, Amelia Noel, Yvette Gautreaux, Gloria Willis, Patti Waddell, Julie Flatmann, Cherie Varisco, Simone Duhe, Randi Hindman, Diane Nowik, Jackie Danilidis and Billie Gasen filed suit against the Jefferson Parish School Board in the 24th Judicial District Court on Dec. 4. The plaintiffs allege that they were terminated or demoted in violation of state law and school system policy.
All of the plaintiffs allege they were under a two year contract with the Jefferson Parish School Board when the school changed its policy of terminating or demoting principals based on meeting required school assessment scores over a three-year period and that the superintendent decided to implement the policy in 2012 by demoting the plaintiffs with a corresponding reduction in pay.
The defendant is accused of changing the employee contract terms and exercising the changes before the contracts were completed.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought to reinstate the plaintiffs to their previous positions or reimburse them at their former rate of pay for a five year period.
The plaintiffs are represented by New Orleans-based attorney Ronald L. Wilson.
The case has been assigned to Division O Judge Ross P. LaDart.
Case no. 721-681.
Jefferson Parish School Board sued by former principals who were demoted
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