Mt. Lebanon School District to pay $350K in legal fees to end lawsuit over transgender identity lesson
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The Mt. Lebanon School District has agreed to pay $350,000 in legal fees to end a lawsuit that accused a teacher of violating parents’ constitutional rights when she gave a lesson on transgender identity to first-grade students.
A federal judge in September ruled in favor of three mothers in the district who sued two years ago alleging that their rights to parent their children were violated by the teacher.
In her opinion, Senior U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti awarded the three women nominal damages of $15.
According to the original lawsuit, on March 31, 2022, which was Transgender Awareness Day, teacher Megan Williams, who taught first grade at Jefferson Elementary School, read two books to her students: “When Aiden Became a Brother,” and “Introducing Teddy.”
The plaintiffs — Carmilla Tatel, Stacy Dunn and Gretchen Melton — alleged in the complaint that the books and Williams’ comments afterward caused confusion for their children.
Williams told her first-grade class that “when children are born, parents make a guess whether they’re a boy or a girl. Sometimes parents are wrong,” according to testimony.
One child, who was upset, raised his hand and said: “’But I’m a boy. I don’t want to be a girl.’”
“Williams responded, ‘Yes you are. Talk with your parents about that.’”
Conti found that the teacher’s actions violated the parents’ rights to due process, equal protection and free exercise of religion.
According to a filing Wednesday, both sides have agreed that they will not appeal the court’s Sept. 30 decision, which found in favor of the parents.
The filing said the parties have agreed that the plaintiffs’ legal fees in the case are $350,000.
That money will be paid within 30 days of Conti signing the final judgment and order.
Brandi Smith, a spokeswoman for the school district, said the payment will be covered by the district’s insurance.
The district this month said it will review and revise its policies relating to non-curricular materials and advance notice to parents. In it, the administration said that non-curricular material is a valuable part of education.
“The Mt. Lebanon School District is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming school environment that recognizes and celebrates the diverse identities of all members of our school community,” the statement said. “The school district also respects the individual rights of our families and students.”