Jessica Light v. City of New Haven Board of Education, et al

Case Background

On  March 30, 2022, Plaintiff Jessica Light filed a Retaliation lawsuit in the Connecticut District Court (Case number:e 3:22-cv-00425-AVC). Judge  Jeffrey Alker Meyer presided over the case.

Cause

Jessica Light, a veteran teacher for the New Haven Board of Education and parent of two students in the district, publicly voiced concerns about COVID-19 safety measures in schools during 2020-2021. She participated in a car caravan protest, spoke at Board of Education meetings, and posted on social media about COVID-19 cases at Worthington Hooker School. Principal Margaret-Mary Gethings and Assistant Principal Jenny Clarino retaliated against Light for her protected speech through a series of actions. They accused Light of spreading false information and creating panic, warned her that not all speech was protected, and falsely claimed she had leaked confidential information about a teacher’s COVID-19 diagnosis.

Gethings reassigned Light from teaching 3rd grade to 1st grade for the 2021-2022 school year, disregarding Light’s concerns about teaching phonics due to her dyslexia. The administration further isolated Light from her colleagues by reprimanding a paraprofessional for briefly covering her class. Gethings and Clarino filed an unsubstantiated cross-complaint, falsely accusing Light of creating a hostile work environment. An independent investigation by Berchem & Moses concluded that Light had engaged in protected speech and was retaliated against in at least four instances. The investigation found no evidence that Light’s speech caused disruption and determined that Gethings had lied about Light being the source of leaked information.

Despite the investigation’s findings vindicating Light, the New Haven Board of Education failed to take appropriate action to protect her from further retaliation. They did not remove Gethings from her supervisory role over Light. Additionally, they did not implement the safeguards Light requested for her return to work. The district ignored union requests for mediation and Light’s doctor’s recommendation that she not work directly under Gethings. Instead, they threatened Light with insubordination for not returning to work without protections in place.

Injuries

Light suffered severe emotional distress due to the months of retaliation and isolation in the workplace. In October 2021, her treating physician diagnosed her with “PTSD triggered by a hostile work environment.” The ongoing stress and anxiety from Gethings’ actions forced Light to take medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Light’s professional relationships were strained due to Gethings’ false accusations and attempts to isolate her from colleagues. She experienced anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms related to the stress of the hostile work environment.

Damages

Light incurred lost wages and had to use sick days during her medical leave. She experienced damage to her professional reputation, emotional distress, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Light also incurred attorney’s fees and costs in pursuing her complaint.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Jessica Light
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Anthony J. Interlandi
  • Defendant(s):New Haven Board of Education | Margaret-Mary Gethings
    • Counsel for Defendants: Peter J. Murphy

 Claims

Plaintiff filed the following claims in a Retaliation lawsuit:

Violation of Connecticut General Statute § 31-51q against the New Haven Board of Education: Light exercised her rights to free speech and assembly protected by the First Amendment and the Connecticut Constitution. Her speech on COVID-19 safety in schools concerned the public and did not substantially interfere with her job performance. The school district retaliated against Light for this protected speech. As a result, she suffered damages, including lost compensation, emotional distress, and harm to her reputation.

Violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Margaret-Mary Gethings: Gethings, acting under color of state law as a public school principal, retaliated against Light for exercising her First Amendment rights. She took adverse actions against Light in response to her protected speech. These actions included false accusations, reassignment, and isolation from colleagues, all in response to Light’s protected speech on matters of public concern. This retaliation violated Light’s civil rights as enforced through Section 1983.

False light invasion of privacy against Margaret-Mary Gethings: Gethings placed Light in a false light that would be highly offensive to a reasonable person. She falsely accused Light of leaking confidential information and creating a hostile work environment. Gethings acted with knowledge of, or reckless disregard for, the false light in which she was placing Light. This false light caused Light to suffer injuries to her reputation and emotional well-being.

Defamation against Margaret-Mary Gethings: Gethings published false and defamatory statements about Light to third parties, including other teachers and administrators. These statements, including accusations that Light had leaked confidential information and was trying to undermine the administration, harmed Light’s reputation in the school community.

Defense

The New Haven Board of Education and Margaret-Mary Gethings denied all allegations of retaliation and misconduct against Jessica Light. They asserted that all actions regarding Light’s employment were based on legitimate, non-retaliatory reasons related to her job performance and the needs of the school. The defendants maintained that Light’s reassignment from third grade to first grade was a routine staffing decision made to benefit students and had nothing to do with her public statements. They argued that Light’s speech caused actual disruption in the school and was not protected by the First Amendment or Connecticut law.

Gethings denied making any false or defamatory statements about Light. She claimed that any discussions about Light’s conduct were truthful, made in good faith, and fell within the scope of her duties as principal. The defendants asserted that Light failed to mitigate her damages by unreasonably refusing to return to work when directed. They argued that Light’s emotional distress and any reputational harm were caused by her own actions, not those of the defendants. The Board of Education contended it took appropriate steps to investigate Light’s complaints and was not liable for any alleged retaliatory acts by individual employees. Both defendants denied acting with malice or reckless disregard for Light’s rights and maintained that punitive damages were unwarranted in this case.

Jury Verdict

On August 12, 2024, the jury delivered a verdict in favor of Jessica Light in a retaliation lawsuit. They awarded her a total of $1.1 million in damages against the defendants. The jury found both the New Haven Board of Education (NHBE) and Margaret-Mary Gethings liable for retaliation and awarded damages accordingly.

From the NHBE, the jury awarded Light $50,000 for economic compensatory damages and $300,000 for non-economic compensatory damages on her retaliation claim. They also imposed $100,000 in punitive damages against the NHBE, signaling their finding that the Board’s conduct was particularly egregious.

The jury held Gethings personally liable for a larger share of the damages. They awarded Light $75,000 for economic compensatory damages and $350,000 for non-economic compensatory damages on the retaliation claim against Gethings. The jury also imposed $200,000 in punitive damages against Gethings for retaliation.

Additionally, the jury found Gethings liable for defamation. Additionally, the jury found Gethings liable for defamation. They awarded Light $10,000 in special damages and $15,000 in general damages.

Court Documents:

Available Upon Request