LMSD Settles Discrimination Lawsuit with Former Harriton Teacher

Lower Merion School District settled in federal court with a former Harriton substitute teacher who had filed a civil discrimination lawsuit against the district, the woman’s lawyer and district officials said Wednesday.

The woman, Besslindora Goree, filed the suit in May 2010 on the basis of race and age, according to court documents.

The settlement is still subject to board approval, said district spokesman Doug Young, who confirmed an agreement was reached between the plaintiff and the district’s insurance provider. The agreement will not involve taxpayer funds, Young added.

Andrew Cotlar, Goree’s attorney, also confirmed in an email the matter has been settled and noted he could not comment further.

“Ms. Goree was recruited to move from her prior teaching position in Broward County, Florida and moved to Pennsylvania in specific reliance upon promises made by LMSD personnel that her long-term substitute position would result in long-term tenure-track employment with LMSD the next academic year,” the original complaint reads.

The 47-year-old African-American Goree was surpassed for the position by a white woman in her mid-20s, the complaint alleges. The woman who was selected instead did not have an MBA, as Goree did, according to the complaint.

Goree claims she was not treated as well as other white teachers. Among her claims, she said she was not assigned an experienced teacher or “buddy” to help familiarize her with district policies and that other newly hired teachers were assigned such buddies. Goree was also assigned to teach about 150 students while a white business teacher was assigned about 90 students, the complaint states.

Goree volunteered in numerous roles, ran the school store, served as the sponsor for FBLA and Mock Trial clubs and was instrumental in creating a dual enrollment program between Pennsylvania State University-Brandywine and the district, according to the complaint.

A trial on this case began Monday, Oct. 17, according to court documents. On Wednesday, a settlement agreement was reached before judge Legrome D. Davis of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. 

The case was dismissed with prejudice Thursday, which prevents the plaintiff from filing another case on the same claim.