Shawanda Turner, who worked for Coronado Unified School District primarily as a bus driver since December 2010, has filed a complaint against CUSD and her supervisor for employment, race and gender discrimination. She is seeking compensatory damages, interest, punitive damages (against CARLSON), damages for emotional distress, and attorney fees.
PLAINTIFF is an African-American woman. PLAINTIFF worked for the DISTRICT, primarily as a bus driver, since December 13, 2010. PLAINTIFF was also assigned duties in the Maintenance and Operations Department and was the only African-American woman working in that department. She was constructively terminated from her position on January 3, 2017 because she could no longer endure the discriminatory and harassing work environment created by her supervisor, CARLSON, a Caucasian woman.
On June 27, 2016, CARLSON was hired as Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation. CARLSON had a reputation of hiring personal friends for various positions in the DISTRICT and/or giving her “friends” preferential treatment. One such “friend” was John Coolidge, who has told DISTRICT employees that he is “untouchable.” CARLSON also hired her friend, Aaron Pelayo.
According to several DISTRICT employees, the general way of thinking at the DISTRICT is “if you’re white.. .you’re alright. If you’re brown…you stick around. If you’re black…you to the back.” Based on information and belief, the majority, if not all, of the management positions in the DISTRICT are held by Caucasians, and there are very few Hispanic or African-American workers employed in the DISTRICT.
The entire complaint can be viewed here: Shawanda Turner v. CUSD / Karen Carlson
More information will be added once it is released to the public.
Related article: CUSD Maintenance Worker Alleges Discrimination and Harrassment
