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Case 1:16-cv-01382-RJJ-RSK ECF No. 14 filed 05/09/17 PageID.

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION

ALICIA CURRY, Case No.: 1:16-cv-01382

Plaintiff, Honorable Robert J. Jonker

v.

KALAMAZOO PUBLIC SCHOOL


SYSTEM and RODNEY PREWITT,
in his individual and official capacity,

Defendants.
____________________________/

Ben M. Gonek (P43716) Craig R. Noland (P30717)


GONEK LAW Amanda M. Zdarsky (P81443)
Attorneys for Plaintiff McGRAW MORRIS P.C.
500 Griswold Street, Ste 2450 Attorneys for Defendants
Detroit, MI 48226 300 Ottawa Avenue, N.W., Suite 820
(313) 963-3377/Fax (313) 963-9310 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
ben@goneklaw.com (616) 288-3700/Fax (616) 214-7712
cnoland@mcgrawmorris.com
azdarsky@mcgrawmorris.com
Joel B. Sklar (P38338)
LAW OFFICES OF JOEL B. SKLAR
Attorneys for Plaintiff
500 Griswold Street, Ste 2450
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 963-4529
joel@joelbsklarlaw.com

DEFENDANTS, KALAMAZOO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND RODNEY PREWITT,


ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

NOW COME DEFENDANTS, Kalamazoo Public Schools (Referenced in the First

Amended Complaint as KPSS) and Rodney Prewitt, by and through their attorneys, McGraw

Morris, P.C. and in response to Plaintiffs First Amended Complaint states as follows:

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1. This is an action to enforce civil rights arising out of Plaintiffs employment relationship

with Defendants and to vindicate Plaintiffs federally guaranteed First Amendment rights

to free speech pursuant to 42 USC 1983.

ANSWER: Defendants deny that they violated any of Plaintiffs constitutional

rights, or any rights under state or federal law.

2. Plaintiff Alicia Curry conducts business in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, which is

located in this District.

ANSWER: Defendants admit that Plaintiff is currently employed by the

Kalamazoo Public Schools.

3. Defendant Kalamazoo Public School System (KPSS) conducts business in Kalamazoo

County, Michigan which is located in this District.

ANSWER: Admitted.

4. Defendant Rodney Prewitt conducts business in Kalamazoo County, Michigan which is

located in this District. Defendant Prewitt is being sued in his individual and official

capacity.

ANSWER: Admitted.

5. At the time alleged in the Complaint, the actions of Defendants were intentional, illegal

and unconstitutional and constitute an intentional tort. As such no Defendant is entitled

to defense of governmental immunity.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

6. Plaintiffs First Amendment rights to free speech were clearly established and the

individual Defendants violation of her First Amendment rights was clearly unreasonable.

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ANSWER: Defendants deny that they violated any of Plaintiffs First

Amendment rights.

7. Plaintiff has exhausted her administrative remedies and, received her right to sue letter

from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on or about April 18, 2017.

ANSWER: Defendants deny that Plaintiff has initiated or exhausted

administrative remedies concerning at least some of the claims set forth in the First

Amended Complaint.

8. The events giving rise to this action all took place in this District.

ANSWER: Defendants deny allegations as to events alleged in the First

Amended Complaint, as separately set forth in their responses.

9. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 USC 1331

and 28 USC 1337(a).

ANSWER: The allegations constitute legal conclusions of which no answer is

required. As set forth in the Affirmative Defenses, Defendants deny that the Court has

subject matter jurisdiction over at least some of the claims set forth in the First

Amended Complaint.

10. The amount in controversy exceeds the jurisdictional limit of this Court, exclusive of

costs, attorneys fees and interest.

ANSWER: The allegation contained in paragraph 10 of Plaintiffs First Amended

Complaint is neither admitted nor denied for the reason these Defendants are without

sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth thereof and therefore leaves the

Plaintiff to her strictest proofs.

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COMMON FACTS

11. Plaintiff is a certified school administrator, licensed professional counselor and licensed

school counselor.

ANSWER: The allegation contained in paragraph 11 of Plaintiffs First Amended

Complaint is neither admitted nor denied for the reason these Defendants are without

sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth thereof and therefore leaves the

Plaintiff to her strictest proofs.

12. In 2001, Plaintiff obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Organizational

Studies from the University of Michigan.

ANSWER: The allegation contained in paragraph 12 of Plaintiffs First Amended

Complaint is neither admitted nor denied for the reason these Defendants are without

sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth thereof and therefore leaves the

Plaintiff to her strictest proofs.

13. In 2005, Plaintiff obtained a Master of Science degree in Professional Counseling from

Georgia State University and, in December of 2011, received a Master of Arts degree in

Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University.

ANSWER: The allegation contained in paragraph 13 of Plaintiffs First Amended

Complaint is neither admitted nor denied for the reason these Defendants are without

sufficient information to form a belief as to the truth thereof and therefore leaves the

Plaintiff to her strictest proofs.

14. On August 27, 2007, Plaintiff was hired by KPSS as School Counselor at Loy Norrix

High School.

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ANSWER: Defendants admit that Plaintiff was hired by Kalamazoo Public

Schools.

15. Plaintiff worked at Loy Norrix High School for nine (9) years and, due to her exemplary

performance, served in various positions including 1st Aspiring Administrators

Academy, Counselor Department Head, Mentor Teacher, Assistant Track and Cross-

Country Coach and Nova Net Instructor.

ANSWER: Defendants admit that Plaintiff is currently employed by Kalamazoo

Public Schools, and that her various employment positions are reflected in her

employment records. Allegations to the contrary are denied as untrue.

16. On or about July 1, 2013, Defendant KPSS hired Rodney Prewitt as the Principal of Loy

Norrix High School.

ANSWER: Admitted.

17. When Defendant KPSS hired Defendant Prewitt, they knew that he had been disciplined

by the State of Florida Educational Practices Commission for engaging in a pattern of

sexual harassment of female teachers and staff at his school. Respondent would ask the

individuals for sex, invite them to come over and do him and otherwise made

inappropriate and unprofessional sexual comments to female staff and teachers even after

he had been informed that the comments were not welcome. (Final Order, Exhibit A).

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

18. In or about the time that Prewitt assumed his position as Principal, he continued his

pattern of unlawful behavior documented by the State of Florida.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

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19. In July of 2013, Defendant Prewitt sent Plaintiff a text message in which he stated I

know you want me.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

20. For a brief period of time, Plaintiff and Prewitt dated.

ANSWER: It is admitted there was a consensual relationship, and allegations to

the contrary are denied as untrue.

21. In or about December of 2013, Plaintiff told Defendant Prewitt that she had no romantic

interest in him.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

22. After Plaintiff told Prewitt that she had no romantic interest in him, Defendant Prewitt

told Plaintiff that he had power in the School District and that his position was secure

because of his relationship with the Human Resources Director and Superintendent.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

23. Despite Plaintiffs protestations, Defendant Prewitt continued to make unwelcome sexual

advances to Plaintiff, including commenting on her clothes, hair and appearance and

asking Plaintiff if she was romantically involved with someone new.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

24. Plaintiff ignored defendant Prewitts advances in the hope that they would stop. They did

not.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

25. On another occasion, Defendant Prewitt handed Plaintiff a post-it note with her best

friends address and phone number and stated that he was going to pursue Plaintiffs best

friend because he was under the impression that Plaintiff was courting someone else.

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ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

26. This frightened and intimidated Plaintiff because her friend lived in Georgia and she had

no idea how Defendant Prewitt had obtained her phone number.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

27. Afterward, Defendant Prewitt continued to make unwelcome sexual remarks and

advances, including I know you want me to go down (a suggestion of oral sex) and

lingering in Plaintiffs office. This also intimidated and frightened Plaintiff.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

28. In January of 2014, after ignoring his advances, Plaintiff was removed from her position

as Nova Net instructor despite the fact that Plaintiffs position was already approved by

the Director of Secondary Education.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue. In further response, Plaintiff

did not have the requisite teacher certification, and she was not otherwise needed to fill

that position.

29. In February of 2014, Plaintiff learned from her immediate supervisor that his secretary

had complained that Prewitt had sexually harassed his secretary. This increased

Plaintiffs discomfort with Prewitts sexually predatory conduct.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

30. In or about March of 2014, Plaintiff noticed that Defendant Prewitt was singling Plaintiff

for undeserved criticism in front of her colleagues. Plaintiff learned from other KPSS

employees that Mr. Prewitt dont like you for some reason.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

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31. In or about May, 2014, Plaintiff met with Defendant Prewitt and informed him that she

found his conduct inappropriate, that he work environment was hostile and oppressive

and that she wanted it to stop.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue. In further response, Plaintiff

met with Mr. Prewitt and asked why he no longer talked to her like in the past. Mr.

Prewitt responded that he did not know what she was talking about.

32. Defendant Prewitt told Plaintiff I dont know what youre talking about and terminated

the meeting.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as phrased. See response to No. 31 above.

33. After this meeting, Prewitt frequently belittled Plaintiff and singled her out for criticism

front (sic) of other employees in order to humiliate and punish her for objecting to his

sexual advances.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

34. In June of 2015, Plaintiff applied for the Assistant Principal/Dean of Students position at

Loy Norrix High School.

ANSWER: Defendants admit that an application was made.

35. Plaintiff did not receive the promotion to the position of Assistant Principal/Dean of

Students despite the fact that she was more qualified than the person who received the

position.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

36. Plaintiff was also more qualitied than the person who was appointed to the position of

Assistant Principal.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

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37. Defendant Prewitt was on the interview panel for the Assistant Principal position.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as phrased. In further response, it is

admitted that Mr. Prewitt was on the interview committee, which consisted of nine

members. Five candidates applied for the position. Each committee member

independently prepared a rating sheet for each candidate. Each member of the

committee rated another candidate as more qualified, and the Superintendent adopted

the committees recommendation. None of the other committee members, or the

Superintendent, were aware of Mr. Prewitts involvement with Plaintiff, and Mr.

Prewitts involvement had no bearing on the ultimate decision.

38. In August 2015, Plaintiff spoke with KPSSs Superintendent about what he was looking

for in an Assistant principal after she did not receive the promotion and was told that,

among other things, he relied heavily on the recommendation of the Principal, Defendant

Prewitt.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

39. On or about August 26, 2015, Plaintiff submitted a formal complaint to KPSS Human

Resources Director, Sheila Dorsey Smith, about Defendant Prewitts unlawful conduct

what she believed to be sexual harassment and the create of a hostile work environment

based on sex.

ANSWER: It is admitted that a complaint was made, and that the complaint was

fully investigated. In further response, Defendants deny conduct constituting sexual

harassment, and deny that Defendants created a hostile work environment based on

sex.

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40. Defendant Prewitts conduct continued and became so difficult, pervasive and oppressive

that Plaintiff transferred to another school after nine years at Loy Norrix High School.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

41. After Plaintiff submitted her formal complaint, at least one other female employee came

forward to report that Defendant Prewitt has sexually harassed her.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

42. On March 28, 2016, despite Defendant Prewitts previous conduct and additional

complaints of unlawful conduct, Defendant KPSS advised Plaintiff that it had found no

wrong-doing and that this was a case of he-said-she-said.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue and incomplete. In further

response, at the conclusion of the investigation, Plaintiff was provided a letter dated

March 6, 206, summarizing the results of the investigation. Allegations to the contrary

are untrue.

43. Since Plaintiff filed her formal complaint, she has been denied promotion and career

advancement opportunities.

ANSWER: Defendants deny that Plaintiff was denied promotion and career

advancement opportunities as a result of making any complaints.

44. In May of 2016 and again on June of 2016, Plaintiff applied for the position of Assistant

Athletic Director at Kalamazoo Central High School.

ANSWER: Defendants admit that Plaintiff applied for the position of Assistant

Athletic Director at Kalamazoo Central High School.

45. Despite the fact that Plaintiff was the most qualified for the position, a male counsel for

from one of KPSSs middle schools received the job.

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ANSWER: Defendants admit that a decision was made to select Mr. Moore to

serve as the Assistant Athletic Director, and otherwise deny that Plaintiff was the most

qualified candidate.

46. Plaintiff applied for the position of Assistant Principal/Dean of Students for Kalamazoo

Central High School.

ANSWER: Admitted.

47. Plaintiff was the most qualified for the position but did not receive the position.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

48. Instead, two less qualified persons were hired for the job(s) that Plaintiff had applied for.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

COUNT I:
VIOLATION OF MICHIGANS ELLIOTT-LARSEN CIVIL
RIGHTS ACT-SEXUAL HARASSMENT/CREATION OF A
SEXUALLY HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT

49. Plaintiff restates each of the above paragraphs for sentence and word for word.

ANSWER: Defendants incorporate by reference their prior responses.

50. Plaintiff was a member of a protected class for purposes of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights

Act (ELCRA), being MCL 37.2101, et seq.

ANSWER: Admitted.

51. Defendant KPSS is an employer covered by the ELCRA, being MCL 37.2201, et. seq.

ANSWER: Admitted.

52. Defendant Prewitt is an employer covered by the ELCRA.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

53. Plaintiff was subjected to unwelcome sexual advances by Defendant Prewitt as set forth

above based on her sex.

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ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

54. Plaintiff was subjected to unwelcome sexual conduct or communication.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

55. The unwelcome sexual conduct or communication was intended to or did in fact

substantially interfere with Plaintiffs employment or created an intimidating, hostile or

offensive work environment.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

56. Plaintiffs submission to Defendant Prewitts unwelcome sexual advances was an express

or implied condition for receiving job benefits or that the employees refusal to submit to

Prewitts sexual demands resulted in a tangible job detriment.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

57. Defendant KPSS hired Defendant Prewitt knowing that he had a propensity to sexually

harass female employees and create a sexually hostile environment but took no measures

to protect its female employees from Defendant Prewitts predatory actions.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

58. Defendant KPSS is responsible for Defendant Prewitts unlawful conduct under the

doctrines of respondeat superior/vicarious liability.

ANSWER: The allegations, including allegations of unlawful conduct, are denied

as untrue.

59. Defendants acts were intentional.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

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60. Defendants discrimination of Plaintiff based on sex and sexual harassment of Plaintiff,

including quid pro quo harassment and creation of a sexually hostile environment, is a

violation of the ELCRA.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

61. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants unlawful actions against Plaintiff as

described herein, Plaintiff has suffered, and will continue to suffer, injuries and damages,

including, but not limited to, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, loss of career

opportunities, loss of reputation and esteem in the community, mental and emotional

distress, embarrassment, humiliation, fear, anxiety, outrage and loss of the ordinary

pleasures of life.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

COUNT II:
RETALIATION IN VIOLATION OF THE ELCRA

62. Plaintiff restates each of the paragraphs set forth above word for word.

ANSWER: Defendants incorporate by reference their prior responses.

63. Plaintiffs complaints to Defendants about the violation of her civil rights is protected

activity under the ELCRA. MCL 37.2701.

ANSWER: The allegations constitute legal conclusions of which no answer is

required. Defendant deny any violation of civil rights.

64. Defendants retaliated against Plaintiff by among other things, creating a hostile work

environment, depriving her of career opportunities and promotions to positions for which

she applied and was qualified.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

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65. Defendants actions were intentional and taken with reckless indifference to Plaintiffs

rights and sensibilities.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

66. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants unlawful actions against Plaintiff as

described herein, Plaintiff has suffered, and will continue to suffer, injuries and damages,

including, but not limited to, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, loss of career

opportunities, loss of reputation and esteem in the community, mental and emotional

distress, embarrassment, humiliation, fear, anxiety, outrage and loss of the ordinary

pleasures of life.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

COUNT III:
VIOLATION OF TITLE VII-SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND
CREATION OF A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT

66(sic). Plaintiff restates the above paragraphs word for word.

ANSWER: Defendants incorporate by reference their prior responses.

67. Plaintiff is a person covered under Title VII of the civil Rights Act of 1964 since

amended, 42 USC 2000e et. seq.

ANSWER: The allegation constitutes a legal conclusion of which no answer is

required.

66(sic).Defendant KPSS is an employer covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights act, 42

USC 2000e et. seq.

ANSWER: The allegation constitutes a legal conclusion of which no answer is

required.

67. Defendant Prewitt was Plaintiffs boss and supervisor.

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ANSWER: At all material times, Defendant Prewitt was the Principal of Loy

Norrix High School. In his role as supervisor, he had general supervisory

responsibilities over school employees and staff. He was not Plaintiffs immediate

supervisor. Allegations to the contrary are denied as untrue.

68. Plaintiff is a member of a protected class.

ANSWER: The allegation constitutes a legal conclusion of which no answer is

required.

69. Plaintiff was subjected to unwelcome sexual harassment.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

70. The harassment to which Plaintiff was subjected was based on sex and is described

above.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

71. The harassment unreasonably interfered with her work performance by creating a hostile,

offensive, or intimidating work environment for which Defendant KPSS is responsible.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

72. Plaintiffs submission to the unwelcomed advances was an express or implied condition

for receiving job benefits and the rejection of Defendant Prewitts sexual demands

resulted in a tangible job detriment.

ANSWER: The allegation is denied as untrue.

73. Defendant KPSS is liable for Defendant Prewitts unlawful conduct under respondeat

superior.

ANSWER: The allegation of unlawful conduct is denied as untrue.

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74. Defendants actions were intentional, with reckless indifference to Plaintiffs rights and

sensibilities.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

75. If Plaintiff had been a male, she would not have been treated in the manner described.

ANSWER: Defendants deny the allegations concerning the alleged treatment, and

otherwise deny all remaining allegations.

76. Defendant KPSSs discrimination of Plaintiff based on sex and sexual harassment of

Plaintiff, including quid pro quo sexual harassment and creation of a sexually hostile

environment, is a violation of Title VII.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

77. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant KPSSs wrongful acts and omission,

Plaintiff has sustained loss of earnings, earning capacity, and fringe benefits and has

suffered mental anguish, physical and emotional distress, humiliation, outrage,

depression, anger, confusion, fear and embarrassment, and loss of professional

reputation.

ANSWER : The allegations are denied as untrue.

COUNT II (sic)
RETALIATION IN VIOLATION OF TITLE VII

78. Plaintiff restates the above paragraphs word for word.

ANSWER: Defendants incorporate their prior responses.

79. Plaintiff engaged in protected activity under Title VII when she complained that her civil

rights were being violated by Defendants.

ANSWER: The allegations constitute legal conclusions of which no answer is

required.

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80. After Plaintiff engaged in protected activity she was subject to adverse retaliatory

treatment by Defendant KPSS, including the creation of a retaliatory hostile environment

and depriving Plaintiff of career opportunities and promotions to jobs for which she

applied and was qualified.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

81. A causal connection exists between Plaintiffs protected activity and the adverse

employment actions set forth herein.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

82. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant KPSSs wrongful acts and omission,

Plaintiff has sustained loss of earnings, earning capacity, and fringe benefits and has

suffered mental anguish, physical and emotional distress, humiliation, outrage,

depression, anger, confusion, fear and embarrassment, and loss of professional

reputation.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

COUNT IV
VIOLATION OF PLAINTIFFS FIRST AMENDMENT FREE SPEECH RIGHTS
PURSUANT TO 42 USC 1983

83. Plaintiff restates each of the above paragraphs word for word.

ANSWER: Defendants incorporate by reference their prior responses.

84. Plaintiff complained to Defendants concerning the unlawful discrimination and civil

rights violations described above.

ANSWER: Defendants admit that Plaintiff made a complaint which was fully

investigated. In further response, Defendants deny the allegations of unlawful

discrimination or any civil rights violations.

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85. Plaintiffs complaints and reports of unlawful conduct constitute protected activity under

the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment to the US Constitution.

ANSWER: Defendants deny unlawful conduct, and further deny the allegations

as untrue.

86. Defendant Prewitts and KPSSs adverse actions as described above caused Plaintiff to

suffer an injury that would likely chill a person of ordinary firmness from continuing to

engage in that activity.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

87. The adverse actions described above were motivated at least in part as a response to

Plaintiffs exercise of her constitutional rights.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

88. Plaintiffs complaints of Defendants violation of her civil rights touch on a matter of

substantial public concern.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

89. Plaintiffs interest in commenting on matters of public concern outweigh the interest of

the State, as an employer, in promoting the efficiency of the public services it performs

through its employees.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

90. As a direct and proximate result of KPSSs wrongful acts and omission, Plaintiff has

sustained loss of earnings, earning capacity, and fringe benefits and has suffered mental

anguish, physical and emotional distress, humiliation, outrage, depression, anger,

confusion, fear and embarrassment, and loss of professional reputation.

ANSWER: The allegations are denied as untrue.

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WHEREFORE, Defendants each respectfully request that this Honorable Court enter an

Order dismissing Plaintiffs Complaint, and taxing all costs and fees, including attorney fees,

against Plaintiff. 42 U.S.C. 1988(b).

McGRAW MORRIS, P.C.


Attorneys for Defendants

Dated: May 9, 2017 BY: /s/ Craig. R. Noland


Craig R. Noland (P30717)

AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

NOW COME Defendants by and through their attorneys, McGraw Morris P.C., and

hereby affirmatively state as follows:

1. Plaintiffs Complaint fails to state a cause of action against either of the Defendants.

2. Plaintiffs Complaint fails to state a municipal liability claim, and Count IV against
Kalamazoo Public Schools should be dismissed.

3. Plaintiffs claims are barred in full or in part by the applicable statute of limitations.
MCL 600.5805(10).

4. Any allegations brought under Title VII falling outside the 300 day statute of limitations,
if any, should be dismissed. 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e-5(e)(1).

5. The Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over any Title VII claims that were
not included in Plaintiffs Charge of Discrimination.

6. With respect to any Title VII or Section 1983 claims, if Plaintiff establishes that
gender/sex/protected conduct was a motivating factor underpinning the Defendants
alleged adverse actions, cause existed for Defendants actions and Defendants would
have taken the same actions regardless of Plaintiffs gender/sex/protected conduct.

7. Plaintiff unreasonable failed to take advantage of preventative or corrective opportunities


provided by Defendant to avoid harm and Defendant exercised reasonable care to prevent
and correct promptly any allegations of harassing or discriminatory behavior. Burlington
Indus., Inc. v. Ellerth, 524 U.S. 742 (1998).

8. The Complaint allegations brought against Defendant Prewitt in his official capacity are
redundant to claims brought against Defendant Kalamazoo Public Schools, and should be
dismissed.

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9. Plaintiffs Complaint against Defendant Prewitt in his individual capacity fails to state a
cause of action in avoidance of qualified immunity, or otherwise. Such claims are
otherwise barred by qualified immunity.

10. Plaintiffs state law claims against Defendants are barred by governmental immunity.
MCL 691.1407, et seq.

11. The substance of the allegations set forth in Counts I and II, despite their labels, reflect a
failed effort to assert tort claims in avoidance of governmental immunity, or otherwise.
All state law claims are strictly barred by governmental immunity. MCL 691.1407.

12. Plaintiffs allegations of injury or damages were caused by Plaintiffs failure to exercise
reasonable care in failing to timely notify Kalamazoo Public Schools of any alleged
inappropriate conduct. The failure to provide timely notification constitutes a failure to
mitigate alleged damages.

13. Plaintiff has otherwise failed to mitigate her alleged damages.

14. Defendants request the opportunity to supplement or amend their Affirmative Defenses
as warranted during pretrial discovery.

WHEREFORE, Defendants each respectfully request that this Honorable Court enter an

Order dismissing Plaintiffs Complaint, and taxing all costs and fees, including attorney fees,

against Plaintiff. 42 U.S.C. 1988(b).

McGRAW MORRIS, P.C.


Attorneys for Defendants

Dated: May 9, 2017 BY: /s/ Craig R. Noland


Craig R. Noland (P30717)
Amanda M. Zdarsky (P81443)
300 Ottawa Avenue, N.W., Ste. 820
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Direct: (616) 288-3702
cnoland@mcgrawmorris.com
azdarsky@mcgrawmorris.com

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