Former Lorain Schools administrator sues district

LORAIN — A former Lorain School administrator has sued the district, alleging she was terminated after testifying in support of the district's former administration and state control. Rae Bastock, who served as Lorain High executive director for the 2019-20 school year, filed a suit in federal court seeking a jury trial and at least $75,000 in compensation for lost wages, benefits and damages for what she calls retaliatory actions, including her termination. In May 2019, Bastock traveled to Columbus to give testimony to the Ohio Senate Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education. At that time, the state was discussing including language to dissolve academic distress commissions in the state's biennial budget. Bastock, who was a principal at Longfellow Middle School at the time of the testimony, went alongside former CEO David Hardy Jr. and others in support of his administration to speak to Senate members. Her testimony did not take a "side" on the issue of academic distress, but her lawsuit states was "widely viewed as aligning herself with the contingent, that included Hardy, arguing in favor of the District's continued control by an academic distress commission." In June 2019, Bastock again submitted testimony at a Senate Education Committee session. At that meeting, Bastock spoke in support of an amendment to change academic distress commissions to school improvement commissions. Her lawsuit states she made both trips voluntarily and made them "as a citizen to address a matter of public concern." That month, Bastock was named the high school executive director. Her lawsuit states school board member Tim Williams met with her in December 2019, telling her people were upset with her testimony and he didn't see her continuing her position at the high school. She alleges school board President Mark Ballard, who is named individually in the lawsuit, had knowledge of the meeting to "intimidate and retaliate" against her. Hardy reached a separation agreement with the district Dec. 6, 2019. Interim CEO Greg Ring started Dec. 16, 2019. In January 2019, Bastock allegedly had a meeting with Ring where her employment was discussed. She was told a lot of people were upset with her position and testimony. Her position was eliminated in early March 2020 during a reorganization. Her lawsuit states those who did not testify to the state Senate or offered testimony in line with the school board's views were given new roles within the district. She was required to interview for another position within the district, which she ultimately did not receive. In May 2020, the district hired Patrick Coleman as high school principal. Bastock had the option of returning to a teaching position, as she was tenured, according to previous reporting. Ballard declined to comment other than that he had been made aware of the suit. Ring also declined to comment. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.