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v.
Defendants.
____________________________/
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
ANSWER: Admitted.
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
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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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.
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.
9. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 USC 1331
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
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
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COMMON FACTS
11. Plaintiff is a certified school administrator, licensed professional counselor and licensed
school counselor.
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
12. In 2001, Plaintiff obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Organizational
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
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
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
14. On August 27, 2007, Plaintiff was hired by KPSS as School Counselor at Loy Norrix
High School.
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Schools.
15. Plaintiff worked at Loy Norrix High School for nine (9) years and, due to her exemplary
Academy, Counselor Department Head, Mentor Teacher, Assistant Track and Cross-
Public Schools, and that her various employment positions are reflected in her
16. On or about July 1, 2013, Defendant KPSS hired Rodney Prewitt as the Principal of Loy
ANSWER: Admitted.
17. When Defendant KPSS hired Defendant Prewitt, they knew that he had been disciplined
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).
18. In or about the time that Prewitt assumed his position as Principal, he continued his
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19. In July of 2013, Defendant Prewitt sent Plaintiff a text message in which he stated I
21. In or about December of 2013, Plaintiff told Defendant Prewitt that she had no romantic
interest in him.
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.
23. Despite Plaintiffs protestations, Defendant Prewitt continued to make unwelcome sexual
advances to Plaintiff, including commenting on her clothes, hair and appearance and
24. Plaintiff ignored defendant Prewitts advances in the hope that they would stop. They did
not.
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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26. This frightened and intimidated Plaintiff because her friend lived in Georgia and she had
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
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
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
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.
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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
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.
34. In June of 2015, Plaintiff applied for the Assistant Principal/Dean of Students position at
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.
36. Plaintiff was also more qualitied than the person who was appointed to the position of
Assistant Principal.
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37. Defendant Prewitt was on the interview panel for the Assistant Principal position.
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
Superintendent, were aware of Mr. Prewitts involvement with Plaintiff, and Mr.
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.
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
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.
41. After Plaintiff submitted her formal complaint, at least one other female employee came
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
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
44. In May of 2016 and again on June of 2016, Plaintiff applied for the position of Assistant
ANSWER: Defendants admit that Plaintiff applied for the position of Assistant
45. Despite the fact that Plaintiff was the most qualified for the position, a male counsel for
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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
ANSWER: Admitted.
47. Plaintiff was the most qualified for the position but did not receive the position.
48. Instead, two less qualified persons were hired for the job(s) that Plaintiff had applied for.
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.
50. Plaintiff was a member of a protected class for purposes of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights
ANSWER: Admitted.
51. Defendant KPSS is an employer covered by the ELCRA, being MCL 37.2201, et. seq.
ANSWER: Admitted.
53. Plaintiff was subjected to unwelcome sexual advances by Defendant Prewitt as set forth
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55. The unwelcome sexual conduct or communication was intended to or did in fact
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
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
58. Defendant KPSS is responsible for Defendant Prewitts unlawful conduct under the
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
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.
COUNT II:
RETALIATION IN VIOLATION OF THE ELCRA
62. Plaintiff restates each of the paragraphs set forth above word for word.
63. Plaintiffs complaints to Defendants about the violation of her civil rights is protected
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
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65. Defendants actions were intentional and taken with reckless indifference to Plaintiffs
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.
COUNT III:
VIOLATION OF TITLE VII-SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND
CREATION OF A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT
67. Plaintiff is a person covered under Title VII of the civil Rights Act of 1964 since
required.
66(sic).Defendant KPSS is an employer covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights act, 42
required.
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ANSWER: At all material times, Defendant Prewitt was the Principal of Loy
responsibilities over school employees and staff. He was not Plaintiffs immediate
required.
70. The harassment to which Plaintiff was subjected was based on sex and is described
above.
71. The harassment unreasonably interfered with her work performance by creating a hostile,
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
73. Defendant KPSS is liable for Defendant Prewitts unlawful conduct under respondeat
superior.
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74. Defendants actions were intentional, with reckless indifference to Plaintiffs rights and
sensibilities.
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
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
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
reputation.
COUNT II (sic)
RETALIATION IN VIOLATION OF TITLE VII
79. Plaintiff engaged in protected activity under Title VII when she complained that her civil
required.
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80. After Plaintiff engaged in protected activity she was subject to adverse retaliatory
and depriving Plaintiff of career opportunities and promotions to jobs for which she
81. A causal connection exists between Plaintiffs protected activity and the adverse
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
reputation.
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.
84. Plaintiff complained to Defendants concerning the unlawful discrimination and civil
ANSWER: Defendants admit that Plaintiff made a complaint which was fully
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85. Plaintiffs complaints and reports of unlawful conduct constitute protected activity under
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
87. The adverse actions described above were motivated at least in part as a response to
88. Plaintiffs complaints of Defendants violation of her civil rights touch on a matter of
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
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
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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,
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
NOW COME Defendants by and through their attorneys, McGraw Morris P.C., and
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.
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.
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,
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