Ex-Hillcrest High principal sues Springfield district, alleges discrimination

The former principal of Hillcrest High School filed a lawsuit against Springfield Public Schools, alleging he was targeted for removal because of his age.

Garry Moore, 61, was hired to lead the district's northernmost high school in 2012 and received positive reviews until 2018.

In the suit filed Wednesday, Moore alleged that in the middle of the 2018-19 school year, he was repeatedly criticized.

Moore said immediate supervisors — primarily Shane Dublin, the executive director of secondary learning — alleged he lacked enthusiasm, energy and commitment. He said, in the suit, that he asked Dublin if age was a factor in the criticism.

The News-Leader reached out to the district for a response to the suit. Stephen Hall, chief communications officer, responded. 

“We are aware of this legal action, and while the confidentiality associated with all personnel matters limits our ability to respond with specifics, it is important to note that Springfield Public Schools strongly denies all claims asserted by Mr. Moore," Hall said. "We are confident that the district acted appropriately in this matter.”

The suit, which alleges Moore was discriminated against based on age, is seeking more than $25,000 in damages for lost wages, lost career opportunities and mental anguish.

Moore alleges, in the suit, that his supervisors also complained that he appeared to lack trust in the administration of Superintendent John Jungmann.

He said in late 2018, he was told that Hillcrest needed to show marked improvement in graduation and attendance that year if he wanted to keep his position. Months later, his contract was not renewed for the 2019-20 year.

Earlier this year, he filed a complaint with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, an administrative body operating under the state’s Department of Labor and Industrial Relations that plays a critical role in vetting allegations of discrimination. It investigated and issued a "right to sue" letter.

Moore, represented by attorney Benjamin Stringer, alleges that other, younger principals were not subjected to comments regarding a lack of enthusiasm.

In mid-April, the district confirmed Moore's departure to the News-Leader but remained tight-lipped about his exit. The district provided the email Dublin sent to Hillcrest about the leadership change:

"I wanted to let you know that the role of principal of Hillcrest High School will transition at the conclusion of the current school year and a new principal will be named for the 2019-2020 school year. We thank Mr. Garry Moore for the service that he has provided over the past seven years."

The Indiana native spent 37 years in education including 21 as a building principal. He started his career teaching social studies and science in inner-city Houston. He worked in Indiana and North Carolina before moving to Springfield in 2012.

Marty Moore, Garry's wife, was hired as associate superintendent in the district under a prior superintendent. After Jungmann was hired and reorganized the central office, her title and many others changed.

This summer, she resigned as executive director of learning support and partnerships.

Moore said prior to 2018, his reviews at Hillcrest were positive. In the suit, he provided a detailed timeline of the events that unfolded in late fall 2018 and early 2019. 

In mid-August: Moore said Dublin scheduled a meeting on graduation and dropout rates with the six high school principals and members of the data team.

Education:Springfield's Jarrett principal Rob Kroll tapped to lead Hillcrest High

In the suit, Moore said the meeting was scheduled "a day and a half" before the school year started and he questioned the timing, noting principals were busy preparing for the first day of class.

Moore said at the end of the meeting, he was forced to meet with Dublin and directed to write an apology letter.

In September, Moore was called to a meeting with Dublin and Deputy Superintendent Carol Embree regarding a conversation between Moore and a Parent Teacher Student Association volunteer regarding facility improvements at Hillcrest.

He alleged they told him that he appeared to lack trust in the upper administration and was directed to be a "champion" of his building.

During that period, a community task force was identifying potential projects for a new bond issue and Hillcrest had been identified as a top priority. A year earlier, voters had rejected a proposed bond issue.

(In April 2019, voters approved a $168 million bond issue, including $24.75 million for a partial renovation of Hillcrest.)

Moore said Dublin and Sheila Wynn, director of secondary learning, met with him Sept. 6, 2018, to go over a growth plan for the year.

In mid-September, Moore said Dublin and Jungmann visited Hillcrest to discuss a new scorecard and how it will be used.

The suit states Dublin and Wynn made a monthly visit to Hillcrest on Oct. 22 and they discussed academic trends at the high school as well as the plan to improve ACT scores and the graduation rate.

Moore alleges neither made negative comments about him or his job performance at the meeting. However, at the end, there was a brief exchange regarding retirement and he noted there were four more years left on his teaching license.

Four days later, Moore said he received an email from Dublin requesting he provide a written plan to respond to issues they discussed Oct. 22. Moore said he did so and met with Dublin to provide additional details Nov. 1.

The suit alleges that Moore received an email Nov. 13 from Dublin that took issue with Hillcrest's attendance, graduation rate and other priority metrics. Moore said Dublin indicated there was a dearth of "enthusiasm and energy" to work on graduation rates.

Moore alleges, in the suit, that Hillcrest's attendance and graduation rates were on par or better than other high schools in the district.

He alleges the other high school principals — who were not as old — were not told they lacked enthusiasm to make progress.

At that point, Moore alleges he was told that for Dublin to have confidence in him as a leader, the data needed to reflect a marked increase before the end of the year. Moore said he felt like he was being targeted because of his age.

On Nov. 16, Moore emailed Dublin to outline concerns, take issue with Dublin's criticism and question whether age was a factor. He said they had two good meetings at the end of that month.

Moore said in a Dec. 6 email, Dublin criticized him for a lack of commitment as well as an unprofessional attitude and behavior. At that time, Dublin allegedly indicated marked progress was necessary for Moore to keep his job.

In the spring, Moore was notified that his contract was not renewed. The district hired Rob Kroll, principal of Jarrett Middle School, as the new Hillcrest principal.

Moore noted in the lawsuit that Kroll was "under 40 years of age." Kroll is 39.