Former Highlands teacher tells Cedar Hill ISD board she resigned, calls it constructive discharge

Samari Lott, a former first-grade teacher at Highlands Elementary, told the Cedar Hill ISD Board of Trustees she resigned effective 04/01/2026 and described her departure as a "constructive discharge." Lott said she requested a 20-minute schedule adjustment so her son could receive medically prescribed ABA therapy and that the district denied the request despite her fulfilling all professional responsibilities.

"I did not miss any instructional time," Lott said during public comment, adding that she "remained on campus through dismissal" and ensured students were safely escorted. She said another staff member had been allowed ongoing schedule flexibility for childcare, including transporting another child, and argued that the difference in treatment showed her medically necessary request was not accommodated fairly.

Lott said she escalated the request through human resources but "at no point was I engaged in a meaningful good faith interactive process" and that resistance in the work environment made it impossible to continue. She asked the board for accountability and urged district leaders to prevent other employees from having to choose between their jobs and a child's medical care.

The board did not take action during public comment. Chair said district administration would follow up; the transcript records that district leadership would contact Lott after the meeting.