by Jackie Nunnery
RICHMOND—In documents filed July 9 with the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Lancaster County School Board (LCSB) chairman Audrey Thomasson and board members Kenya Moody and Carolyn Young asked the court to dismiss a suit brought by former school superintendent Steven Parker.
Parker filed a suit June 12 alleging that LCSB, Thomasson and Moody discriminated against him by not renewing his contract when he participated in an investigation of racial harassment. Young, along with member Joan Gravatt, voted to extend Parker’s contract at a February 15 LCSB meeting.
The LCSB denies that it violated Title VII, which is a portion of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protecting individuals from discrimination by their employers on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Thomasson and Moody both contend in their motions that they, as members of the board, are not Parker’s employer, and therefore are not liable.
Parker also alleges that he was discriminated against…
