Ex-teacher wins bias suit, $40,000
By Michael Ko
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

Tuesday, October 29, 2002 - 12:00 a.m. Pacific
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A King County Superior Court jury yesterday agreed with a former elementary-school teacher's claim that the Bellevue School District discriminated against her because of age and awarded her $40,000 for emotional damages and lost wages.

Rich sued the district in 1999, saying Bellevue Superintendent Mike Riley and his staff harassed her and pressured her into retirement, simply because of her age.

The district denied the claims and said Riley targeted Rich because she was a bad teacher who was clinically depressed and had problems with authority. Said Sharon Howard, the district's assistant superintendent of legal affairs: "It's difficult for anybody to accept criticism at work. People don't tolerate that level of scrutiny very well, and I think this was one of those cases."

Rich said the district's actions caused her psychological harm and destroyed her desire to teach. Several other older teachers made the same claim; the district's insurance company settled with two of them this summer for a combined $360,000.

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