Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 1 of 11

PREET BHARARA
United States Attorney for the
Southern District of New York
By: CALEB HAYES-DEATS
Assistant United States Attorney
86 Chambers Street, Third Floor
New York, New York 10007
Telephone: (212) 637-2699
Fax: (212) 637-2686
[email protected]
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
16 Civ. 4291 (___)

Plaintiff,

Complaint

vs.
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION,
Defendant.

Plaintiff the United States of America (the United States), by and through its attorney,
Preet Bharara, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, alleges upon
information and belief as follows:
INTRODUCTION
1.

The United States brings this civil action to enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights

Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq., as amended (Title VII). As set forth more fully below,
the United States alleges in this action that Defendant the New York City Department of
Education has engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination and retaliation based on race in
the hiring, retention, and employment conditions of teachers at Pan American International High
School (Pan American).

Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 2 of 11

JURISDICTION & VENUE

2.

This Court has jurisdiction over this matter under 42 U.S.C. 2000e-6(b) and 28

U.S.C. 1331 & 1345.

3.

Under 28 U.S.C. 1391(b), the Southern District of New York is the proper

venue for this matter because Defendant is located in this District.

PARTIES
4.

Plaintiff is the United States of America.

5.

Defendant the New York City Department of Education (the DOE) is a person

within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. 2000e(a), and an employer within the meaning of 42 U.S.C.
2000e(b).
PATTERN OR PRACTICE OF DISCRIMINATION
6.

The DOE oversees approximately 1,800 schools and 1.1 million students, making

it one of the largest school districts in the United States.

7.

The DOE has nearly 135,000 full-time employees.

8.

Pan American is located at 45-10 94th Street, Queens, NY 11373, and serves

between 300 and 400 students.

9.

Defendant is responsible for establishing the terms, conditions, and other practices

that bear upon the employment of teachers at Pan American.

10.

During the 20122013 school year, Pan American employed approximately

twenty-seven teachers, eight of whom were untenured.

11.

Three of Pan Americans twenty-seven teachers were black. Two of those

teachers, John Flanagan and Heather Hightower, were untenured. The third, Lisa-Erika James,
was tenured.

Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 3 of 11

12.

Anthony Riccardo was the Assistant Principal at Pan American during the 2011

2012 and 20122013 school years.

13.

Prior to the 20122013 school year, James, Flanagan, Hightower, and Riccardo

had consistently received satisfactory performance reviews at Pan American and other schools
where they had taught.
14.

Following the 20112012 school year, Pan Americans principal moved to

another position within the DOE.

15.

In August of 2012, Minerva Zanca became Pan Americans principal.

16.

Juan Mendez, the superintendent of high schools for District 28, selected Ms.

Zanca for that position.

17.

Under DOE policy, if an untenured teacher receives a rating of unsatisfactory for

a school year, that teacher may be discontinued from their employment with the DOE.
18.

In the fall of 2012, Principal Zanca explained to Assistant Principal Riccardo that

the best method for discontinuing a teacher was to give them multiple unsatisfactory ratings
following lesson reviews. According to Principal Zanca, teachers cannot grieve unsatisfactory
ratings for lessons, and consistently giving them such ratings will create a record that justifies an
unsatisfactory rating for the entire school year.
19.

During the fall of 2012, Principal Zanca and Assistant Principal Riccardo

reviewed several of Flanagans and Hightowers lessons and rated them unsatisfactory.
According to Assistant Principal Riccardo, while other teachers also received unsatisfactory
lesson ratings, Flanagans and Hightowers reviews were distinguished by the fact that Principal
Zanca would inform him that she intended to give an unsatisfactory rating before she had seen
the lesson in question.

Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 4 of 11

20.

After one lesson review, Principal Zanca, Assistant Principal Riccardo, and

Hightower spoke and agreed that, because Assistant Principal Riccardo had previously taught
Hightowers subject, he would meet with her to help her improve future lessons. Following this
conversation, Principal Zanca privately told Assistant Principal Riccardo that he had better not
make [Hightower] a better teacher.
21.

Beginning in December of 2012, Principal Zanca began to make derogatory racial

comments to Assistant Principal Riccardo about Hightower and Flanagan. Specifically, Principal
Zanca (1) stated that Hightower looked like a gorilla in a sweater, (2) asked whether Assistant
Principal Riccardo had seen Flanagans big lips quivering during a meeting, (3) complained
that she could never have fucking nappy hair like Hightower, and (4) stated that she had
difficulty not laughing at Flanagan because he reminded her of a Tropicana commercial where a
black man with those same lips danced down a supermarket aisle.
22.

Throughout the winter and spring of 2013, Principal Zanca continued to give both

Flanagan and Hightower additional unsatisfactory lesson ratings.

23.

James taught Pan Americans theater courses. During the 20112012 school year,

James oversaw two students productions.

24.

Pan American scheduled its first student theater production of the 20122013

school year for February of 2013. On the day the students were scheduled to perform the
production, Principal Zancas assistant called James and informed her that Principal Zanca
would not pay for certain costs associated with the production and that James needed to cancel
the production. When James attempted to speak to Principal Zanca about this decision, Principal
Zanca refused. Ultimately, James agreed to pay the costs out of her own pocket, and the
production was not cancelled.

Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 5 of 11

25.

Subsequently, Principal Zanca informed James that Pan American could not pay

the overtime wages required to allow theater students to rehearse for more than five hours per
week. As a result of the reduction in rehearsal hours, the second student production of the 2012
2013 school year was cancelled. Pan American in fact had sufficient money to pay the overtime
wages required for more rehearsal time, and Principal Zanca used additional money that had
been budgeted for the theater program to buy Smart Boards.
26.

Later during the spring of 2013, Assistant Principal Riccardo refused to give an

unsatisfactory rating to a lesson of Hightowers that he had reviewed. Principal Zanca yelled at
Assistant Principal Riccardo, accused him of sabotaging her plan, and called school security to
have him removed from the building.
27.

Principal Zanca initiated two complaints against Assistant Principal Riccardo with

the DOEs internal investigatory offices. Those offices determined that Principal Zancas
allegations did not warrant any charges against Assistant Principal Riccardo.
28.

On May 8, 2013, when Assistant Principal Riccardo was absent, Principal Zanca

arranged to have Eduardo Medrano, an assistant principal at another high school, review a lesson
taught by Flanagan. Assistant Principal Medrano did not review any lesson by any other teacher
at Pan American during the 20122013 school year. Assistant Principal Medrano rated
Flanagans May 8, 2013, lesson unsatisfactory.
29.

On June 3, 2013, Flanagan filed a complaint regarding Principal Zanca with the

DOEs Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO).

30.

Later in June of 2013, Principal Zanca gave unsatisfactory ratings to Hightower

and Flanagan for the 20122013 school year. No other untenured teacher at Pan American
received an unsatisfactory rating for the 20122013 school year.

Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 6 of 11

31.

Also during June of 2013, Principal Zanca refused to offer James a position as a

teacher in Pan Americans summer program even though James had a right to such a position as
a full-time, tenured teacher at Pan American.
32.

On June 24, 2013, Assistant Principal Riccardo issued a written statement

recounting Principal Zancas mistreatment of Hightower, Flanagan, and James, including the
derogatory racial comments Principal Zanca made regarding Hightower and Flanagan.
33.

On June 25, 2013, Principal Zanca rated Assistant Principal Riccardos

performance during the 20122013 school year as unsatisfactory.

34.

In late June of 2013, James, Hightower, and Riccardo filed complaints regarding

Principal Zanca with OEO.

35.

On June 26, 2013, Flanagan sent a letter to Superintendent Mendez responding to

his unsatisfactory rating for the 20122013 school year and alleging that Principal Zanca had
discriminated against him based on his race.
36.

On July 1, 2013, a DOE employee signed to indicate receipt of Flanagans June

26, 2013, letter to Superintendent Mendez.

37.

During late June and early July of 2013, various media outlets reported on

Principal Zancas mistreatment of Hightower, Flanagan, and James.

38.

On July 3, 2013, before OEO had opened its investigation, Superintendent

Mendez wrote in an email to other high-ranking DOE officials that Assistant Principal
Riccardos allegations were unfounded and that Assistant Principal Riccardo was attempting
to retaliate for receiving an unsatisfactory rating and discontinuance. According to
Superintendent Mendez, Principal Zanca deserves our support.

Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 7 of 11

39.

On July 8, 2013, while OEOs investigation was ongoing, Superintendent Mendez

wrote an email to OEOs Executive Director. In that email, Superintendent Mendez stated that
the allegations that Principal Zanca engaged in racial discrimination are manufactured and
untrue. Superintendent Mendez also stated, If you need further details, feel free to contact me.
40.

On July 17, 2013, Superintendent Mendez discontinued Flanagans employment

with the DOE without considering Flanagans June 26, 2013, letter.
41.

In late July or early August of 2013, James, Riccardo, and Hightower filed timely

charges against the DOE with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC). Flanagan filed a timely EEOC charge against the DOE in August or September of
2013.
42.

After learning of the EEOC charges filed against the DOE by James, Riccardo,

Hightower, and Flanagan, OEO administratively closed its investigation without issuing any
findings.
43.

In August of 2013, Assistant Principal Riccardo met with Superintendent Mendez

and discussed his allegations against Principal Zanca. Superintendent Mendez agreed to change
Assistant Principal Riccardos performance rating for the 20122013 school year to satisfactory
on the condition that Assistant Principal Riccardo resign from his position, agree not to seek
appointment as a teacher, and waive all claims against the DOE or its employees arising out of
the unique and particular facts of this matter.
44.

In October of 2013, Flanagan filed a lawsuit against the DOE, Principal Zanca,

Superintendent Mendez, and others. That suit was docketed as Flanagan v. N.Y.C. Dept of
Educ. et al., No. 13 Civ. 8456 (LAK) (JCF).

Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 8 of 11

45.

On February 4, 2014, the EEOC stopped processing Flanagans complaint and

issued a right-to-sue letter.

46.

Under 42 U.S.C. 2000e-5, the EEOC investigated the charges filed by James,

Riccardo, and Hightower and, on May 9, 2014, found reasonable cause to believe that the DOE
had discriminated and retaliated against James, Riccardo, and Hightower. The EEOC attempted
unsuccessfully to achieve through conciliation a voluntary resolution of the matters, and
subsequently referred the charges to the United States Department of Justice.
47.

Neither Hightower, nor Flanagan, nor James, nor Riccardo worked at Pan

American after the 20122013 school year.

48.

Principal Zanca remained in charge of Pan American during the 20132014 and

20142015 school years. The DOE did not take any disciplinary action against Principal Zanca
based on her conduct towards Flanagan, James, Hightower, and Riccardo.
49.

Superintendent Mendez remains the superintendent of high schools for District

28.
Conditions Precedent to Suit
50.

All conditions precedent to the filing of this suit have been satisfied.
FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Pattern or Practice of Discrimination)

51.

The allegations in paragraphs one through fifty are repeated and realleged as

though set forth fully herein.

52.

The acts, omissions, policies, and practices described in paragraphs six through

forty-nine above constitute a pattern or practice of employment discrimination on the basis of

race in violation of 42 U.S.C. 2000e-2(a)(1) and retaliation in violation of 42 U.S.C. 2000e3(a). This pattern or practice denies black teachers the full exercise of the rights secured by Title
8

Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 9 of 11

VII. Unless enjoined by the Court, the DOE will continue to engage in practices that are the
same as or similar to those that are alleged in this Complaint.
SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Discrimination Against Flanagan)
53.

The allegations in paragraphs one through fifty are repeated and realleged as

though set forth fully herein.

54.

The DOE violated 42 U.S.C. 2000e-2(a)(1) by discriminating against Flanagan

on the basis of race.

THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Retaliation Against Flanagan)
55.

The allegations in paragraphs one through fifty are repeated and realleged as

though set forth fully herein.

56.

The DOE violated 42 U.S.C. 2000e-3(a) by retaliating against Flanagan for

engaging in protected action, including but not limited to filing a complaint with the DOEs OEO
on June 3, 2013.
FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Retaliation Against Riccardo)
57.

The allegations in paragraphs one through fifty are repeated and realleged as

though set forth fully herein.

58.

The DOE violated 42 U.S.C. 2000e-3(a) by retaliating against Riccardo for

engaging in protected action, including but not limited to refusing to give Hightower an
unsatisfactory rating in the Spring of 2013 and issuing a written statement on June 24, 2013, that
recounted Principal Zancas mistreatment of Hightower, Flanagan, and James.

Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 10 of 11

FIFTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF

(Discrimination Against Hightower)
59.

The allegations in paragraphs one through fifty are repeated and realleged as

though set forth fully herein.

60.

The DOE violated 42 U.S.C. 2000e-2(a)(1) by discriminating against Hightower

on the basis of race.

SIXTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Discrimination Against James)
61.

The allegations in paragraphs one through fifty are repeated and realleged as

though set forth fully herein.

62.

The DOE violated 42 U.S.C. 2000e-2(a)(1) by discriminating against James on

the basis of race.

WHEREFORE, the United States demands judgment:
(a)

declaring that the DOE engaged in a pattern and practice of discrimination based

on race in violation of 42 U.S.C. 2000e-2(a)(1) and retaliation in violation of 42 U.S.C.

2000e-3(a);
(b)

enjoining the DOE from engaging in discriminatory and retaliatory employment

practices in violation of Title VII;

(c)

ordering the DOE to take such other steps as may be necessary to prevent and

remedy employment discrimination and the patterns or practices of discrimination in

employment identified above;
(d)

ordering the DOE to provide remedial relief, including but not limited to

sufficient damages to compensate Flanagan, Hightower, James, and Riccardo and make them

10

Case 1:16-cv-04291 Document 1 Filed 06/09/16 Page 11 of 11

whole for the losses they have suffered as a result of the discrimination and retaliation alleged in
this Complaint; and
(e)

granting the United States its costs, disbursements, and such further relief against

defendant as the Court may deem just and proper.

Dated: June 9, 2016
New York, New York
PREET BHARARA
United States Attorney for the
Southern District of New York
Attorney for Plaintiff
By:

11

/s/ Caleb Hayes-Deats

CALEB HAYES-DEATS
Assistant United States Attorney
86 Chambers Street, Third Floor
New York, New York 10007
Telephone: (212) 637-2699
Fax: (212) 637-2686
[email protected]