Guthrie educator sues district

A former counselor and teacher filed a federal lawsuit against Guthrie Public Schools officials claiming they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when they demoted her.

Terrianne Lowe, 57, who left the district in June 2006, claims she was demoted from counselor to teacher in March 2006 after taking a leave of absence for surgery. Administrators put Lowe, who has a degenerative disease related to polio and uses a wheelchair, in a small classroom where she said she couldn't teach effectively because of her disability. The lawsuit was filed in November in federal court in Oklahoma City.

"It wasn't even big enough for a wheelchair to fit into,” said Rand Eddy, Lowe's attorney.

Lowe requested reasonable accommodations to do her job, but administrators made no changes, the lawsuit states. Lowe is seeking a monetary judgment and to be reinstated as a counselor.

Matthew Cyran, the district's attorney, said he couldn't comment on the case since the discovery process just started. Parties in the lawsuit are expected to meet during a scheduling conference Feb. 5. According to documents filed by district officials Nov. 26 in answer to the lawsuit, the district denies Lowe's allegations.

The lawsuit states that Lowe was demoted to the position of physical science teacher after her leave of absence and was not given a reason verbally or in writing. The demotion decreased Lowe's annual salary by $5,500, the petition states. Lowe had not taught physical science for 24 years and had been a counselor for the previous 18 years.

The lawsuit also states that Lowe's supervisor defended her performance as a counselor, but was told to distance herself from Lowe. In June, administrators terminated the supervisor's employment. At that time, Lowe decided to take early retirement.

"Ms. Lowe felt she could not continue to work there because of the hostile environment,” Eddy said.