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Pennsylvania Educator Files Lawsuit After He Doesn't Get Technology Job

A district educator played the age discrimination card in a lawsuit over a technology director position.

(TNS) — A Pittston Area School District teacher has filed a federal age discrimination lawsuit alleging he was "effectively rejected" from becoming the district's new technology director because of his age.

James Kupetz, 52, of 1286 Pittston Ave., Old Forge, alleges the district misrepresented its plans for the newly created position and that he didn't apply for it because he thought it would be a step down. After changing the scope of the position, the district hired a woman in her 30s who was less qualified than Kupetz, the suit contends.

The complaint, filed by Old Forge-based attorney Timothy P. Polishan, says the issue began in November 2012, when an evaluation determined the district should hire five new employees to help with technology needs.

The superintendent indicated he wanted Kupetz to become technology director, according to the complaint. Kupetz decided not to apply after being told the position would not be that of a technology director but instead of a technology integrator, would be subordinate to his current post and pay less than his $50,188 salary, the complaint says.

The district then changed the proposed job into that of a technology director and hired Christy Savakinas at a salary of $75,000, according to the complaint. Adding insult to injury, Kupetz was to report to her, the complaint says.

Kupetz alleges the superintendent told him some school board members did not want him to be in charge of technology.

The suit contends that the job Savakinas got was not the same job the district advertised and that Kupetz was essentially denied a promotion because of his age.

Kupetz is seeking Savakinas' job, with back pay, as well as other damages for his "emotional distress, anxiety, humiliation and other compensatory damages." 

©2016 The Citizens' Voice (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.