Part 4 – Harvard School Psychologist Wins 7th Circuit Reversal of Wrongful Termination Suit Dismissal

Without using an attorney, former Harvard school psychologist Peter Koehn won reversal of the dismissal of a suit concerning his termination by Harvard Unit School District 50.

Without using an attorney, former Harvard school psychologist Peter Koehn won reversal of the dismissal of a suit concerning his termination by Harvard Unit School District 50.

Then-Superintendent Lauri Tobias is listed as the lead defendant. Judges William Bauer, John Daniel Tinder and David Hamilton rendered the decision.

At the Federal Circuit Court level, the school district was granted a summary judgment in its favor.

Koehn appealed.

Here is more of the Federal Court Court of Appeals decision:

After receiving Principal Segersten’s second letter, Koehn shared his concerns about cutting individualized instruction with a “Principal Education Consultant” employed by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Koehn copied Superintendent Tobias on this communication.

Tobias had received a copy of Segersten’s first letter commanding Koehn to attend an “investigatory meeting,” but at summary judgment the defendants did not introduce evidence that Tobias knew about or approved in advance Segersten’s plan for this meeting.

On October 18 the superintendent directed Koehn to meet with Segersten and said his e-mails to Segersten had been vitriolic and unprofessional.

That meeting occurred on October 20, and Superintendent Tobias also attended.

Eight days later Tobias notified Koehn that she had investigated the reductions in individualized instruction at the junior high but found no impropriety.

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More tomorrow.


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