ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT ACTIONS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL ...

intelligence. However, dissent over sex was not limited to remarks. In Reed v. Rolla 31 Public
School District (2005 U.S. Dist.), Reed created a great deal of strife when she contacted and
threatened other school employees she believed were having a sexual relationship with the same
man, also a school employee, with whom she was having an affair. Moreover, Reed was
eventually charged with sexual harassment by more than one male employee. Herbert’s sexual
relationship with a custodian that led to pregnancy out of wedlock created a significant amount
of strife with her followers and her direct supervisor, the principal. While Herbert did establish a
prima facie case of discrimination, it is undeniable that her behavior, which included lying about
the father’s identity, created an inordinate strain on her followers as detailed in Herbert v. City of
New York (2010 U.S. Dist.).
Third, the last area where cases assimilated as “failed relationships with followers” was
identified as lacking communicative skills or the ability to lead in six cases. In Desoto County
School Board v. Garrett (1987 Miss.), Garrett and Payette’s reassignment notices listed poor
interpersonal skills and leadership measures as reasons for reassignment. Likewise in Peterson v.
Unified School District (1989 U.S. Dist.), Peterson’s contract was not renewed for his failure to
communicate effectively with his faculty, staff, and parents. Terry, who was discussed for his
interpersonal strife for a new program, also failed on the communicative level due to his
indiscretion in humiliating a teacher in front of students and other teachers as detailed in Terry v.
Woods (1992 U.S. Dist.). Moreover, in Brown v. Board of Education (1996 Kan.) and Woods v.
Enlarged City School District (2007 U.S. Dist.), both Brown and Woods were unable to
engender their followers because they failed to effectively communicate and, to their superiors,
assume an effective leadership position. Finally, in King v. Charleston County School District
(2009 U.S. Dist.), King used intimidation and threats to communicate his wishes when he felt
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