Al-Najjar, who was hired in 2006 by the Spotswood accuses the district of violating state and federal regulations
SPOTSWOOD -- A former borough special needs teacher has filed suit against the school district alleging he was denied promotions, forced to work in a "hostile, intimidating" work environment and eventually let go after voicing concerns over the placement of students with disabilities.
Spotswood file photo In the lawsuit, which was first reported by a local government watchdog site, Anwar Al-Najjar accused the school board of violating state and federal regulations when it came to the education of students with special needs.
Al-Najjar was hired in 2006 by the school board for the Child Study Team as a teacher and consultant to determine and deliver proper education services and programs for special-needs students. Al-Najjar says in his suit that in April or May 2014, the district placed a student with disabilities in a "self-contained" classroom, separated from all other district students.
Al-Najjar said he objected to the placement and suggested to his supervisor that the student be transferred to another district. The parents also made the same request.
In the suit filed in Middlesex Superior Court in July, Al-Najjar claims his summer hours were reduced from 24 days to 10 in retaliation. In addition, he applied for two district positions that summer and was not hired for either, which he claims was also retaliation.
The following school year, the student's case was assigned to another member of the child study team and the school refused to send the student with special needs out of district, the suit said.
Two educators assigned to the student in the 2014-2015 school year also objected to the decision to not transfer the student out of district. Both of whom were let go at the end of the school year, according to the lawsuit.
Al-Najjar objected in writing and claims his summer hours were reduced again to one day from 10 the year prior, the lawsuit said. He also applied for a summer principal position but was not hired, which he claims was because his previous complaints.
The lawsuit claims the school district became an "intimidating, hostile or abusive" environment for Al-Najjar in fall of 2015, and by April 2016, the district had "abolished" his position, effective at the end of the year.
InMay, Al-Najjar's office was cleaned out of all work files and personal effects, according to the suit. The next day he was placed on administrative leave and banned from entering school property.
Al-Najjar seeks front and back pay and benefits, as well as compensation for distress and punitive damages.
Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.