Flint School Board Pays Settles with Whistleblowing During Arbitration - $609,000

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In the media:

Case summary:

Anita Steward was a budding super-star education in the Flint Community Schools. A former School Board President, Casey Lester, publicly assessed Anita Steward and her capabilities as follows:

“As a product of Flint Community Schools, Mrs. Steward knows what it means to be Flint Strong, and she is deeply committed to serving our families now and into the future. As Interim Superintendent, she had led our district with acumen through a time (Covid-19 pandemic) that has shaken our students and families to their core – and she has done so without hesitation. I am confident Mrs. Steward will continue to put the academic, social and emotional well-being of our students first as we chart a path forward at Flint Community Schools.”

Anita Steward was appointed as the Superintendent of Flint Community School and, her six-month Evaluation stated that Anita Steward was rated “Highly Effective”, and stated this in conclusion:

“The mid-year evaluation was completed and adopted by the Board in December 2020. Superintendent Steward received an overall rating of “Highly Effective” by the Board for the mid-year evaluation. The Board agreed unanimously that Superintendent Steward first six month’s job performance was excellent. She brought knowledge, professionalism and calm to the District during a period of transition. Superintendent’s evaluation was facilitated by 2020 FCS Vice President, Diana Wright.” Emphasis added.

Then there was an election and new directors were elected to the Board of Directors, including some of the individual Defendants in the Arbitration. Certain of the new members wanted to “micro-manage” Anita Steward and spoke to her and acted toward her in racially discriminatory ways, which Anita complained about to both the board members and to the contract Attorney for the Board, Kendall Williams, who had been the school’s attorney for over twenty years. As tactfully as he could, the School Board’s own Attorney, Kendall Williams, agreed that certain School Bylaws were being violated and that this caused interference with Anita Steward’s ability to do her job.

Apparently, the School Board didn’t like this criticism and their own Attorney finding in favor of Anita Steward, because within sixty days after his opinion letter, his twenty-year employment with the School was ended. On top of that, the School Board enacted a resolution, and threatened Anita Steward if she didn’t abide by it, that Anita was “gagged” from speaking with leaders of the school who had money that they would commit to the Flint Community Schools for the benefit of the kids. Anita was also banned from meeting with any Community Leaders, unless a member of the Board was present, what Anita called a “snitch” rule. These two rules made it impossible for Anita Steward to do her job. Afterward, Anita was harassed and hounded and was eventually forced out of her job due to the micro-managing and restrictions that the Board members placed upon her.

The case was Arbitrated before former Chief Judge of the Genesee County Circuit Court, Robert M. Ransom. Following four full days of arbitration, the case settled for $609,000.