May 8, 2009 6:00 am US/Eastern
Ex-LI Teacher Wins $5M In Sexual Harassment Suit
BALDWIN, N.Y. (CBS) ―
A former school official on Long Island was awarded $5 million in a sexual harassment lawsuit.
She says she was fired in 2004 after complaining that a middle school principal used sexist and derogatory language.
"That was very hard, because I have very close working relationships with not just the children, but their families," Cheryl Farb said.
The former dean of students, Farb was choked up with emotion, recalling being fired from her job at the Baldwin Middle School.
She was never able to say goodbye to the students and parents she loved, nor explain to the community the humiliating, offensive and demeaning sexual harassment she said she was subjected to by her then-boss, and current principal, James Brown.
"You need to stand up for what you believe in and what's right," Farb said. "You can't just let people treat you any way they want because they're in a position of authority."
Farb sued the principal and Baldwin School District in federal court, and a jury ruled Thursday that she was "retaliated against" and fired because she lodged complaints of discrimination and harassment.
"It only took this jury one hour and 20 minutes to come back with an award of $5 million," Farb's attorney, Rick Ostrove, said.
CBS 2 asked to speak to Principal Brown but was denied. The district plans an appeal.
The school district released a statement through spokeswoman Christina Schmohl: "Since the litigation is ongoing, and the case is not final, the district cannot legally provide any further information."
Students in Baldwin told CBS 2 they wondered why they were suddenly having sexual harassment lectures in the schools this week
"We had a sexual harassment thing yesterday in gym to tell us what it is," one student said.
Parents said they are concerned their hard-earned tax dollars may have to pay for this disturbing case.
"It's not Baldwin's problem, it's not the taxpayers' problem," one parent said. "He's the one who did this, he's the one who caused this headache, and he got caught."
Brown, who remains on the job, was ordered to pay $1 million; the school district will pay the remaining $4 million.
After Farb was fired, she claimed her school was placed on lockdown as she was escorted from the building.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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