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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — A southeastern Idaho science teacher who lost her job has filed a federal lawsuit against the Snake River School District.
The Post Register reports (http://www.postregister.com/node/69438) that the Idaho Education Foundation filed the lawsuit on Elaine Asmus' behalf on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Boise.
The lawsuit names Superintendent Mark Gabrylczyk and the school board as defendants.
According to the lawsuit, Asmus is claiming the district violated multiple Idaho laws and due process rights.
"The school district violated her constitutional rights and her statutory rights and they need to be accountable for creating this environment of nepotism and unfair process," said Paul Stark, Asmus' attorney. ". What we really hope is that, the school board will change its ways and begin to honor pretty well established requirements and understand federal and constitutional law."
Superintendent Mark Gabrylczyk said Wednesday that the district had not yet been served and had no comment.
Asmus taught for 28 years at Snake River High School.
Laura Gabrylczyk, a science teacher at Snake River Junior High School and wife of the district superintendent, filed a complaint against Asmus following a disagreement last spring.
A subsequent decision not to renew Asmus' contract caused an outcry from hundreds of former students.
The board then offered Asmus a contract with a one-year probation period. Asmus didn't sign the contract by a June 30 deadline.
In the lawsuit, she claims she never received written notice of the probation plan.
Asmus also claims she filed two grievances in late June but that her employment was withdrawn at the end of the month and her position was posted July 1.
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Information from: Post Register, http://www.postregister.com
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