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Employees tell Middletown school board of favoritism and alleged HR mishandling; law-firm probe cited
Summary
Multiple speakers during public comment said they fear retaliation, described favoritism in hiring and alleged the HR director disclosed confidential medical information; they questioned the scope and objectivity of a law-firm investigation the board hired.
Several current and former staff members told the Middletown school board during public comment that favoritism and retaliation concerns persist in district human-resources practices, and they questioned whether a recently hired law firm has the independence and scope to address those complaints.
Jamie Kahan, a district employee of nearly 14 years, told trustees she has seen “bullying by administrators and directors, favoritism and unfair treatment of dedicated employees” and said many workers are “scared to speak out because we fear retaliation from certain individuals.”
A separate speaker who identified prepared remarks said the board had “recently hired a law firm to investigate the conduct of employees and other school officers” but asked the board to clarify the probe’s scope and whether it covers individuals involved in an EEOC charge. That speaker alleged the HR director had improperly disclosed “EEOC complainants’ medical information protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act,” called the handling “gross negligence,” and said coworkers were treated differently during investigations — some removed from workplaces and sequestered in board offices for weeks.
Why it matters: Public allegations that HR mishandled confidential information and that employees fear retaliation could expose the district to legal risk and undermine staff trust. Commenters asked whether the superintendent or other senior staff members will investigate the HR director and raised potential conflicts of interest if the superintendent — who has close working relationships with HR leadership — oversees that review.
Speakers asked the board to explain whether the law-firm review includes past personnel actions and to consider pausing HR hiring until the inquiry is complete. The board did not announce changes to staffing or a formal additional action during the meeting.
