A judge ruled in favor of the Ansonia Board of Education in a federal lawsuit filed by a high school teacher who was fired in June 2012.
The teacher, Jacqueline Abelli, was a permanent substitute teacher and then a non-tenured culinary arts instructor during her five years in the district, from 2007 until 2012.
Abelli’s lawsuit alleged Ansonia Schools Superintendent Carol Merlone and the school board ruined her reputation by claiming she misappropriated federal grant money and mishandled cash during her three years as a culinary arts instructor.
Abelli denied the accusations, saying the claims stigmatized her and hurt ability to seek employment elsewhere.
Background
Abelli received a letter from Merlone in March 2012 saying that the superintendent was recommending the school board not renew the teacher’s employment contract.
Click here for a previous Valley Indy story with full details.
The letter set forth a number of reasons for the decision, including:
- Misappropriating federal grant money, a Perkins grant specifically
- Commingling of funds
- Ordering a gas stove without authorization, causing the school district to spend an extra $6,000.
Abelli responded by requesting a “name-clearing hearing,” a public meeting during which she was able to call witnesses and question school officials through her attorney.
It was held in April 2012. The school board sided with Merlone.
Abelli claimed that the accusations leveled against her were not true, and that the “name-clearing” hearing technically wasn’t a true “name-clearing” hearing as defined by law.
According to the transcript from the hearing, Abelli tapped into a federal grant to order supplies for her culinary class — but the order also included personal items.
Abelli was also accused of ordering a gas-powered stove for the high school when the school district was equipped for electric. The oversight caused the project’s price tag to triple to $13,000.
Abelli testified at the April hearing, saying while she had made mistakes, they didn’t warrant her firing. Several past students offered testimony on her behalf, saying she was an inspiring teacher.
She countered many of the accusations leveled against her by saying they were either exaggerated or just untrue.
Regarding the federal grant money, Abelli said some of the supplies were perishable and therefore should not have been ordered using a Perkins grant. But they were not for personal use, Abelli said.
“I have never so much as taken a toothpick out of that room and put it into my personal possession. Nothing was ever given to me or assumed for personal use,” Abelli said.
“Every single thing that was purchased, right or wrong, has been for this program,” she said.
Regarding her handling of cash, Abelli said all monies were accounted for during a meeting she had with school administrators, including Superintendent Merlone.
Abelli filed a lawsuit in October 2012.
On Dec. 13, 2013, Judge Bond Arterton sided with the school board, writing in a decision that Abelli had failed to show she has a case.
The judge said the hearing held in April 2012 in front of the school board had provided her with adequate opportunity to publicly clear her name, so Abelli “has failed to state a plausible stigma-plus claim.”
The judge’s ruling on the plaintiff’s motion to dismiss is posted below.