Denver Public Schools Faces Lawsuit Pursuit by Ex-Principal
In a significant turn of events, Federal Judge John Kane has denied the school district's request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Kurt Dennis, the former Principal of McAuliffe International School. The lawsuit, which advances, alleges wrongful termination in relation to criticism of school safety policies.
The rejection took place on December 24, 2022, according to The Colorado Sun. Judge Kane's decision was based on the fact that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) does not cover the information disclosed by Mr. Dennis, as his remarks were made in a forum available to a private citizen and not in an official capacity. FERPA, as Judge Kane's written decision states, applies only to institutional policies, not individual instances of disclosure.
The district had claimed that Dennis violated student privacy rights under FERPA by disclosing redacted records of a student's written threats to the media. However, Judge Kane noted that FERPA's non-disclosure provisions do not apply to individual instances of disclosure.
Dennis, who has since found work as a paraprofessional, has expressed a desire for an apology from Denver Public Schools and recognition that he was wronged. He has also gained a deep appreciation for whistleblowers and people who speak up at some level of personal risk.
Dennis's message, while school-related, was the type of criticism a non-government employee could make. His speech was not limited to a McAuliffe International School or Denver Public Schools audience, but was intended for the general public via a public news channel.
Dennis contends that his remarks should be afforded First Amendment protections. He told The Colorado Sun that he wants people to know that what Denver Public Schools did was wrong.
As of now, no verifiable update is found in the accessible public records or databases regarding this case. For the latest updates, it is recommended to check local Denver news outlets, official Denver Public Schools press releases, Denver district court online records for civil litigation, and direct court record databases or legal news services specialized in Colorado jurisdiction.
