Robotics teacher loses suit against school district

A jury ruled in favor of a school district against a former Palo Alto High School robotics coach who claimed she was bullied, insulted, and undermined because she is a woman and a lesbian. The case centered on her nine-week tenure in fall 2018 and complaints involving parent boosters and students. The coach alleged that a booster told her a woman could not do the job, that students destroyed her gay pride flag, and that students resisted her efforts to improve safety and diversity on the team. The district presented testimony that people had high hopes for her, while also describing actions that disrupted the robotics program, including shutting down the lab without notice and imposing restrictions that affected student preparation and stress levels.

"A jury has ruled against a former Palo Alto High School robotics coach who said she was bullied, insulted and undermined because she's a woman and a lesbian. The jury sided with the Palo Alto Unified School District on May 12 after a trial that looked back at Kathy Krier's tumultuous nine-week tenure in fall 2018."

"Krier, 63, complained about a group of parent boosters who raised money for the team and encouraged students to complain about her because she was part of a "far-left social justice warrior agenda." "A woman can't do this job," a booster allegedly said at her first meeting. Krier said students destroyed her gay pride flag and resisted her attempts to improve safety and diversity on the team."

""I know the district has a non-discrim-ination policy, but it seems like it was just on paper," Krier testified on April 9 at the Old Courthouse in San Jose. District on defense In the district's defense, attorney Mark Davis asked witnesses if they were motivated by Krier's gender or sexual orientation."

"Parents, students and district leaders testified that they had high hopes for Krier. But she shut down the lab without notice or expla-nation, threatening the team's efforts to have a successful season. Student Lawrence Chang said Krier saw herself as a rule enforcer, immediately banning super glue and food in the lab."

Read at Padailypost