Award-winning drama teacher sues district for discrimination

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - A drama teacher has sued his North Carolina public school district for racial discrimination in staffing and unfair compensation.

The Herald Sun of Durham reports 30-year Hillside High School drama teacher Wendell Tabb filed the lawsuit against Durham Public Schools on Wednesday.

The lawsuit says DPS refuses to staff the predominantly black Hillside’s award-winning drama program as it does with other schools’ programs, forcing Tabb to perform the work of multiple teachers. The lawsuit also says Tabb hasn’t been compensated for performing non-program-related duties, despite asking for district assistance since 2004. The lawsuit alleges the district’s non-compliance stems from a settled 2005 lawsuit Tabb filed saying a special needs therapist taped his child’s mouth shut.

DPS spokesman Chip Sudderth didn’t comment on the litigation, but says the district has increased extra duty pay.

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Information from: The Herald-Sun, https://www.herald-sun.com