By CHRIS LEONARD
Staff Writer
WOOSTER -- An Orrville High School teacher, who also is the former head boys basketball coach, is suing another teacher and the school district for defamation, violation of the Ohio Civil Rights Act and related charges.
According to a civil complaint filed Feb. 5 in Wayne County Common Pleas Court, Donald A. Short Sr., of Orrville, is suing Ned Hostetler of Orrville and Orrville City Schools.
In the complaint, Short alleges Hostetler posted "racially motivated" and "negative comments" on the JJ Huddle Web site (JJHuddle.com), during school hours, about Short, beginning in 2007.
The complaint also alleges Hostetler engaged in "discriminatorily abusive oral comments and treatment" of Short on school property, including on Feb. 10, 2009, in which he "told students and employees of Orrville City Schools, and other members of (Short's) community, that (Short) had impregnated a minor (under age 18), female, Orrville High School student, which statement was a knowingly false accusation of criminal and immoral activity by (Short), a married man..."
The complaint also says the school "failed or refused to promptly and adequately prevent, correct or remedy ... (Hostetler's) known abuse of (Short) ... which has caused and perpetuated an illegal hostile work environment, based on race and/or retaliation."
According to the complaint, Short is suing for defamation, violation of Ohio Civil Rights Act, negligence, false light invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
He is seeking $125,000 in compensatory damages and a public retraction of the allegation he impregnated an Orrville High School student.
The complaint claims the allegations resulted in Short's "constructive discharge" as basketball coach.
Hostetler deferred comment to his attorney, Timothy B. Pettorini, of Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston. Pettorini said his client denies any wrongdoing.
"We intend on vigorously defending this lawsuit," he said. "We don't believe these allegations are true."
Orrville City Schools Superintendent Jon Ritchie declined comment on the lawsuit. Both Short and Hostetler currently are employed as teachers in the district, he said.
Short was the Orrville High School boys basketball coach from 2002 to 2009.
Reporter Chris Leonard can be reached at 330-287-1643 or e-mail [email protected].
OneBuckeye
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Tue, Feb 23, 2010 10:54 AM
Feb 23, 2010 10:54 AM
http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/4775285
Feb 23, 2010 10:54am
