Hartland District Seeks to Dismiss Sahouri LawsuitHartland District Seeks to Dismiss Sahouri Lawsuit

9/9/13 - Hartland Consolidated Schools is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a former administrator.A hearing is scheduled later this month in Genesee County Circuit Court to hear the motion that would dismiss the lawsuit filed by Tracey Sahouri. The suit alleges the district violated the Whistleblower Protection Act when it failed to renew her administrative contract and eventually re-assigned her to a teaching position. Sahouri was re-assigned after a state report concluded a breach of security in administering the MEAP test to Creekside Elementary students in 2011. The lawsuit claims her removal as principal was in retaliation for reporting ongoing “irregularities” in how the district administered the MEAP tests. A three-member legal panel came up with a proposed settlement amount of $525,000 in April, but that was rejected by the district, which said it was standing by the decisions that were made in regard to Sahouri, who it says was found to have committed misconduct by both the Michigan Department of Education and the district. The lawsuit also alleges the decision not to renew her administrative contract was made in part because of rumors surrounding criminal charges that had been filed against Sahouri and her husband in a separate case that alleged they knowingly allowed minors to drink alcohol at a party at their home. Those charges were later dismissed. The district has maintained that incident had nothing to do with their workplace decisions regarding Sahouri. The hearing to hear oral arguments on the motion will be held September 23rd. (JK)