SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (97.1 FM TALK) - Mandatory "equity training" for all staff of Missouri's largest school district has sparked a lawsuit filed on behalf of two employees.
The suit filed Wednesday against Springfield Public Schools (SPS) says records secretary Jennifer Lumley and process coordinator for students with disabilities Brooke Henderson claim the training to "become Anti-Racist educators" violated the employees’ rights and is an unconstitutional condition of employment.
Lumley claims in the suit she was "berated" for voicing her concerns against the concept and Henderson says she was forced to affirm statements she disagreed with in order to progress in the training. It also states pay would be reduced for those who didn't participate.
"SPS requires that as a condition of their employment, all staff attend and participate in “equity training” to “learn about oppression, white supremacy, and systemic racism . . . engage in identity development and understanding . . . [and] become Anti-Racist educators," the lawsuit states. "Slide after slide, image after image, SPS promotes and reinforces a view of race essentialism that divides Americans into oppressor and oppressed based solely on their skin color."
SPS released a statement to KY3 about the lawsuit:
“The legal action filed by Ms. Henderson and Ms. Lumley is a serious distraction that consumes time and resources better focused on children. This effort is part of a misinformation campaign designed to undermine our district’s pursuit of equity for all. SPS is prepared to vigorously defend our efforts to honor and respect the identities and lived experiences of all students and staff. We are confident that the court will ultimately determine the lawsuit is frivolous and without merit.”
Defendants listed in the lawsuit include the school district, the school board and four district leaders, superintendent Grenita Lathan.