KY teacher’s aide files lawsuit, alleging she was fired in retaliation for reporting abuse

A teacher’s aide in the Raceland-Worthington Independent school district this week filed a federal lawsuit in Ashland, saying she was fired in retaliation for reporting threats and inappropriate behavior by a special education teacher toward special needs students.

Laura Ashley Suttles’ whistleblower lawsuit is the second federal lawsuit since February against the Raceland-Worthington school district in connection with special education teacher Erin Horn, who is alleged to have been abusive to students.

Whistleblower acts generally prohibit retaliation against an employee who reports in good faith to appropriate authorities allegations of abuse or law violations.

Suttles’ lawsuit said she was a para-educator or classroom aide from 2021 until June of this year.

The lawsuit said Suttles worked closely with Horn and observed her “grab children’s arms in a forceful and harmful manner” and yell at them, causing stress for the kids.

Suttles’ lawsuit said she reported the issues to her supervisors, including her principal and director of special needs and was terminated in retaliation.

She said she has suffered lost wages, emotional district and other damages and is seeking compensation and punitive damages.

In a February lawsuit filed in federal court in Ashland, the parents of eight special needs students filed a lawsuit against Horn alleging she was “verbally abusive and physically aggressive with the students.”

Superintendent Larry Coldiron told the Herald-Leader Friday, “ We have not received any information on a federal lawsuit filed by a para-educator.”

But in February, he told the Herald-Leader that a district investigation into the allegations in the lawsuit revealed no problems and the teacher named in the lawsuit was still in the classroom.

Suttles’ attorney, Brandon Music, told the Herald-Leader in an email Friday, “Ms. Suttles was a paraeducator in the Raceland Worthington Classroom of Ms. Horn. “

“Ms. Suttles was a witness to many of the allegations against Ms. Horn, and followed the proper protocols and reported them to her superiors to protect these children. Instead of the School District celebrating her actions, she was let go from her position after reporting Ms. Horn’s actions. We respect the School District’s right to respond to the lawsuit in the appropriate setting, and will refrain from further comment at this time,” said Music.

This story was originally published September 20, 2024 at 10:16 AM.