Lisa Mesi, former principal of Philadelphia High School for Girls, filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination and retaliation after being demoted for denying diplomas to students who disrupted graduation.
Lisa Mesi , the former principal of the Philadelphia High School for Girls, has filed a lawsuit against the school district after being demoted following a graduation ceremony in June 2023. Mesi alleges she was given a 'demeaning 'Special Assignment' because she is White,' in retaliation for refusing to issue a public apology after video of her denying a diploma to a student who danced during the ceremony went viral.
The lawsuit claims Mesi worked for the district for 28 years before being assigned to a 'humiliating 'Principal on Special Assignment' position. Mesi argues she followed an 'established rule and tradition' at the school by withholding diplomas of three students who disrupted the ceremony. However, the lawsuit notes all three students were allowed to graduate and received their diplomas after the ceremony ended. Mesi claims the district 'bought into and perpetuated a false narrative' that she is racist, instead of recognizing her record of supporting minority students and educators. She argues that previous Black principals did not face similar backlash for enforcing the same rule. Mesi is seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress, attorney fees and other expenses
Lawsuit Race Relations Discrimination Lisa Mesi Philadelphia High School For Girls Diploma Denial Graduation Ceremony Racial Discrimination Retaliation School District
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Student Sues Davis School District for Racial HarassmentA former student of Layton High School in Utah is suing the Davis School District, alleging that she faced ongoing racial harassment, particularly from her basketball coach, despite the district's promises to address such issues.
Read more »
Former Student Sues Davis School District for Racial HarassmentA former student of the Davis School District, Ebony Davis, has filed a lawsuit alleging persistent racial harassment and discrimination. The lawsuit claims the district failed to uphold promises made in a 2021 settlement with the Department of Justice, which followed a report detailing widespread use of racial slurs and discriminatory behavior against Black students. Davis alleges she faced racist remarks, exclusionary actions, and demeaning comments from both students and staff, including the athletic director and coach, Robert Reisbeck.
Read more »
Former Student Sues Davis School District for Racial HarassmentA former Davis School District student has filed a lawsuit against the district and a teacher who was also her coach, alleging racial harassment and discrimination. The lawsuit claims the district continues to allow student harassment despite promises of improvement following a 2021 U.S. Department of Justice report.
Read more »
Former Student Sues Davis County School District for RacismA former Layton High School student accuses the Davis County School District of fostering a racist environment, citing years of harassment from both peers and staff.
Read more »
Former Utah State Deputy AD Sues School, Alleges Hostility and Wrongful TerminationJerry Bovee, the former deputy athletics director at Utah State University, has filed a lawsuit against the school, claiming he was wrongfully terminated after reporting policy violations. Bovee alleges that athletic director Diana Sabau was hostile towards him and that the university failed to follow its procedures after he filed a formal grievance. He is seeking over $300,000 in back pay and damages.
Read more »
Former Girls High Principal Sues Philly School District, Citing Racial DiscriminationLisa Mesi, the former principal of Philadelphia High School for Girls, has sued the Philadelphia School District, alleging racial discrimination. Mesi claims she was removed from her job because she is white and targeted after withholding diplomas from students due to their conduct at graduation.
Read more »