Pregnant teacher sues school - A former Montana Catholic school faculty member who was discharged from teaching for being pregnant and unmarried is suing the religious institution that fired her.
Shaela Evenson, the plaintiff in the pregnant teacher sues school case, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Butte Thursday, claiming her dismissal contravened federal and state laws that forbid discrimination based on pregnancy, the Montana Standard reported.
She had taught literature and physical education to grades 6 through 8 at Butte Central Catholic Schools for nine years, and she was removed from teaching in January after the Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena was informed about her pregnancy through a letter, Daily Mail has learned.
School authorities handed over all questions to he diocese, however, diocesan spokesman Dan Bartleson refused to comment Friday, on the pregnant teacher sues school case.
In January, the diocese filed for bankruptcy protection, and it is reportedly waiting to see how the Bankruptcy Court decides the pregnant teacher sues school allegations should be dealt with.
The pregnant teacher sues school complainant was reportedly dismissed for breaching the terms of her contract, that required her to practice the beliefs of the Catholic faith, said the then superintendent of schools for the diocese Patrick Haggarty.
Evenson, who is not a Catholic with the full awareness of the diocese and the school district, underwent artificial insemination to get pregnant, and on March 7, she gave birth to a boy - her first child with partner Marilyn Tobin.
Furthermore, the pregnant teacher sues school lawsuit contends that the school district does not even check on male and nonpregnant female employees for compliance with Catholic Church teachings.
Brian Butler, the lawyer of Evenson in the pregnant teachers sues school case, said it has been made clear that an employer, even a religious institution, cannot oblige its employee to give up specific civil rights as a condition of employment.
In February, Evenson filed a discrimination complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and by June, the agency sent her a notice for a right to sue, the pregnant teacher sues school lawsuit stated.
Shaela Evenson of the pregnant teacher sues school case, is said to be demanding back pay, benefits, and compensatory and punitive damages.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
