A former van driver for Akron Public Schools states in a lawsuit against the district that it breached its contract and wrongfully terminated her after a parent made a complaint.
Jasmeen Wadud is asking for $3.52 million in damages, claiming the district caused her harm — she states in the suit that she was fired without a full or thorough investigation and that it violates APS’ policies and procedures.
“Defendant’s retaliation against Plaintiff to terminate the contract based on a malicious report by a third party were not only in violation but disproportionate to the situation, unjustified and the Plaintiff was treated differently than others in similar situations,” the lawsuit states.
In the lawsuit, Wadud states she was scheduled to pick up a student on her route when an “irate” man, who she said appeared to be intoxicated, approached her vehicle before storming off with the student in his own vehicle. She said the man filed a complaint against her with the district, which she claims is the basis of her termination.
“Defendants acted with malice and the department’s actions were negligent to rely on hearsay, to refuse all the evidence and testimony and to make decisions that harmed Plaintiff’s contract and professional relationship with the district,” the lawsuit states.
Wadud also states in the suit that the district “engaged in retaliatory actions against” her after she criticized the administration during a contentious and public dispute earlier this year when APS leadership tried to switch from using independent drivers like Wadud and replace them with a single vendor.
The van drivers primarily transport homeless students and those with special needs — they ended up continuing to provide the service for the district.
Officials with APS declined to comment for this story and said they do not speak about pending litigation.
The lawsuit lays out a complicated picture of both allegations of retaliation by some administrators. The district “engaged in misconduct, harassment, theft and discriminatory practices,” the lawsuit states.
The suit specifically states Debra Foulk, executive director of Business Affairs, former director of Human Capital Yamini Adkins, and Diana Feitl, an outside attorney who works for the district, attempted to intimidate Wadud through “hostile letters” and failed to thoroughly investigate the complaint made against her.
