BENTON - Former Venice school principal Roshion McKinley and former instructional coach Lakishia Brock allege discrimination, hostility and retaliation against the school district.
They sued at Madison County circuit court and on Nov. 8 the district removed the complaints to U.S. district court.
Their counsel Joshua Miller of St. Louis County claimed the district hired McKinley and Brock in August 2022 and constructively discharged them in July 2023.
Miller claimed that shortly after McKinley and Brock began working at the district they began to have hostile racial interactions with superintendent Cynthia Tolbert.
He claimed Tolbert had a pattern and practice of negative treatment towards black employees.
White employees allegedly were not subject to the same level of criticism.
Tolbert allegedly used racially charged language such as “you people” when referring to black employees.
The suit claims that McKinley and Brock complained to the school board and nothing was done.
In retaliation, McKinley was allegedly investigated for complaints he made on behalf of himself and other black employees.
Miller denied that McKinley had practices or concerns that required investigation.
He claimed McKinley and Brock no longer felt safe because of harassment, discrimination, and lack of oversight from the board.
He claimed the district failed to take appropriate remedial action.
He alleged damages including loss of past and future wages and earning capacity, loss of career opportunities, shame, humiliation, anxiety, loss of sleep, interference with enjoyment of life and emotional distress.
Venice had 84 students from preschool to eighth grade last year.
The district abandoned the former high school in 2020 for structural reasons and Gov. Pritzker produced $26 million to replace it.
That equals about $310,000 per pupil.
The district spent $2,483,946 last year, almost $30,000 per student.
The district reported 99% low income, 47% chronic truants, and 41% chronic absentees.
No eighth grader passed algebra and 15% achieved proficiency in science.
The district reported 22 incidents involving discipline, one every eight days among 84 children.