Judge throws out school chief’s lawsuit

HPS Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed

By Charles Sercombe
It’s another legal loss for Hamtramck Public School Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed.
Once again, Federal District Court Judge Gershwin Drain has dismissed Ahmed’s lawsuit against some school board members, as well as against the district itself.
Just recently, the judge threw out Ahmed’s lawsuit against the Hamtramck Federation of Teachers.
She had claimed discrimination and the violation of her civil rights.
But the court wasn’t buying it. In Drain’s opinion, Ahmed essentially failed to present evidence, and the judge felt that the board’s decision to put her on paid administrative leave was allowable since there was a belief that she might have committed misconduct.
The court said placing an employee on paid leave is “a reasonable carveout in employment discrimination law.
“Her job and status did not change. And her finances and benefits were not impacted,” Drain said.
The board never explained what “misconduct” Ahmed allegedly committed, and the investigation never resulted in any accusations.
Ahmed was eventually brought her back on the job and, not only that, the school board gave her a contract extension and pay raise.
However, Ahmed has once again been placed on some sort of paid leave, and her job is being performed by an interim superintendent.
As for the lawsuit against the teachers’ union claiming it defamed her, and even allegedly worked with some board members to get her fired, the court once again said she failed to provide proof, and that teachers have a right to criticize her as a public official.
It’s still not clear what Ahmed’s exact status is. Board President Jihan Aiyash and Interim Superintendent James Larson-Shidler have refused to say what her role is, other than she is still an employee.
Ahmed’s tenure with the district has been rocky ever since she started as superintendent in 2019.
A number of teachers accused her and some of her administrators of creating a “toxic” work environment. Many veteran teachers and staff members subsequently left the district.
Posted Sept. 6, 2024