Hylla
A case management conference in a suit and countersuit that are part of a long-running legal battle between a reading teacher and the Collinsville school district is set today.
The litigation stems from the settlement of a prior lawsuit that went to federal court over plaintiff Karen Eastby's right to freedom of speech and other issues.
Madison County Circuit Judge David Hylla is presiding.
The case management conference is set for 9:30 a.m.
Eastby is suing the school district, claiming they have not lived up to the terms of the settlement of her original claims.
The defendants counter that Eastby has violated the terms of the settlement herself by filing additional litigation and that she did not enter the settlement in good faith.
In the lawsuit that started the battle, Eastby claimed that her First Amendment rights were violated, she was defamed and that she was discriminated against due to her age.
In her second federal court complaint, she entered claims of retaliatory discharge under the federal Civil Rights Act.
In the current Madison County suit, she alleges the district has failed to pay her $25,000, failed to correct her personnel file and reinstate her, and has caused her emotional distress.
Eastby seeks damages of at least $150,000 and costs.
The district, in its counter complaint, seeks damages of at least $100,000 and costs.
Eastby is represented by Greg Roosevelt.
The district and other defendants are represented by Christi Flaherty.
The case is Madison case number 08-L-137.