The principal of a Fairfax County, Virginia, elementary school is facing allegations of discrimination.
Three former staff members -- Rachel Charlton, Yolanda Calhoun, and Shyrone Stith -- and a former student filed a lawsuit in federal court. The 31-page complaint against Bailey’s Elementary School principal Marie Lemmon includes claims she repeatedly criticized and mistreated one Jewish and three African-American individuals.
Lemmon insisted the school administrators only hire "pretty young blondes who did not have families and would work for her," the complaint reads.
Charlton, a former assistant principal, claims Lemmon harassed her following her pregnancy.
Dr. Calhoun, an African-American math teacher, says Lemmon told her that her position "would not exist the following year." But, the suit adds, "the position did exist the following year and was filled with a young, blue-eyed, blonde, Caucasian woman who was less qualified."
The former student listed on the suit is Dr. Calhoun's child, and the suit claims Lemmon wanted the child out of the school.
Stith alleges Lemmon "refused to hire [him] on the basis of his race."
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The school system declined comment. Lemmon didn't immediately respond to a request for an interview.
Lemmon has been at the school, which is the largest elementary school in Fairfax County, since 2012.
