Joplin R-8 School District settles age/disability discrimination lawsuit with former East Middle School nurse

During a June 23 closed session, the Joplin R-8 Board of Education approved a settlement agreement with a former East Middle School nurse who sued the district for age and disability discrimination.

According to the board minutes, the board unanimously approved the settlement with Staci Chodrick, who filed her lawsuit in January 2017 in Jasper County Circuit Court and authorized an insurance deductible payment of $10,000 to MOPERMS (Missouri Public Entity Risk Management Fund), indicating the settlement was for a considerably higher amount.

According to the petition, Chodrick was 55 and had served the district for 20 years when former Executive Director of Student Services Mark Barlass fired her on March 3, 2016, as part of district budget cuts. Barlass resigned under pressure in late 2016 following an indiscretion with another school official on district property.

At the time, Chodrick was in her first year at East, where she had been transferred after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The transfer had taken place as an accommodation for Chodrick, since East had an elevator.

In the petition, Chodrick says she lost her job after Interim Superintendent Norm Ridder was restructuring the district.

"The district was dealing with a significant financial crisis, reflected in significant budget shortfalls. One way in which the district determined to confront the financial crisis was through the termination of employment for more costly administrative and support staff full-time employees."

That affected Chodrick in two ways, according to the lawsuit. Her Parkinson's required more costs to accommodate her and she was at the top level on the pay scale because of her two decades of experience.

(Disclosure: I am currently involved in a lawsuit against the Joplin R-8 School District in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri)