Teacher files sexual harassment lawsuit against Central Greene, former principal
WAYNESBURG – A special education teacher at Waynesburg Central High School filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Central Greene School District and former high school principal David Mason, claiming he coerced her into an ongoing sexual relationship on school property.
Danielle Golden of Dunbar filed the federal civil rights lawsuit Thursday with U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh that alleged Mason engaged in “unwanted and unsolicited” sexual conduct with her at the school. Mason was fired last December, although school officials called it a “personnel matter” and said they could not discuss reasons for his dismissal.
Though the district had knowledge of Mason’s past conduct, it continued to allow him to supervise Golden and took no action regarding his conduct, the lawsuit claimed.
Golden was hired in September 2013 and supervised by Mason. From the beginning, the suit said, Mason was “infatuated with her, and her body.”
Mason would often remove her from classroom assignments to discuss topics of a sexual nature, telling her about his various sexual encounters and questioning her about her own sexual activity, the suit said.
“Although Ms. Golden was uncomfortable with Principal Mason’s comments and questions, she felt it necessary to respond to Principal Mason, because she was a first-year teacher, without tenure, and afraid that she would lose her position if she refused Principal Mason’s advances,” according to the lawsuit.
Mason continued to meet with her and began to tell her he wanted to have sex with her. Mason told Golden she was “a huge temptation for him,” the suit said. Golden said she told Mason she did not want to continue those discussions and his conduct should stop, not only because he was her boss but also because he was married and a leader at his church.
Mason persisted and “demanded” Golden wear certain clothing or undergarments to work for his “enjoyment,” the suit said. He repeatedly insisted she have sex with him, telling her no one would know, the suit said.
On Nov. 8, 2013, Mason called her into his office as she was leaving for the day and they had a first sexual encounter, the suit said. Golden told Mason “this was not right in any way,” and she subsequently attempted to avoid him. However, she was unable to do so, the suit said.
Mason continued to arrange private meetings throughout the 2013-14 school year and the sexual encounters became more frequent, the suit said. Because of Mason’s status with the district, Golden believed if she didn’t consent to Mason’s request for sexual favors, she would lose her job.
In January 2014, Golden met with administrators and her union representatives regarding Mason’s habit of removing her from class so he could engage in sexual relations. At one meeting, the special education director told Golden she knew how Mason acted with female teachers and he had a reputation for similar behavior in the past.
At a meeting in May 2014, Golden provided documentation to Superintendent Brian Uplinger showing she was involuntarily removed from class by Mason. Uplinger “indicated he want to fire Ms. Golden on the spot,” the suit stated. He was dissuaded, however, by union representatives.
In June 2014, Golden received a “performance plan” from Uplinger. Mason received nothing, the suit said.
The union subsequently sent a letter to the district solicitor Kirk King outlining dates Golden was removed from class and noting nothing was done to stop Mason’s conduct. Throughout the 2014-15 school year, Mason continued to remove Golden from class on a near-daily basis to talk or engage in sexual relations, the suit said.
Golden insisted such conduct stop, but on at least two occasions, Mason allegedly grabbed Golden by the neck and choked her, the suit said. One of these incidents, in February 2015, was witnessed by another district employee.
In May or early June 2015, Golden provided another statement to the district, expressing concern about retaliation and requesting protect from reprisals by Mason or his allies on the school board, the suit said.
In late August 2015, during an in-service day, Mason grabbed Golden’s arm and demanded to see her. Shortly afterward, the district began investigating Mason’s behavior.
Almost immediately, the suit said, Golden received a number of telephone calls and text messages threatening her and suggesting reprisals if she participated in the investigation.
Mason, who was with the district for almost 15 years, was suspended with pay Aug. 21 and then suspended without pay Sept. 23. The board voted at a special meeting Dec. 5 to fire Mason. No reason was given for his termination.
A written statement issued later by Uplinger said the district terminated Mason for violating Section 1122 of the Pennsylvania School Code.
The code lists a number of reasons for termination, including “immorality; incompetency; unsatisfactory teaching performance … intemperance; cruelty; persistent negligence in the performance of duties; willful neglect of duties,” among several other causes.
Golden’s Pittsburgh-based attorney, Samuel Cordes, said they will argue district officials knew of the problems involving Mason before his suspension but did nothing to correct the situation. He declined to specifically name any school officials.
“If they knew or should’ve known, then they should’ve taken action to stop it or prevent it,” Cordes said. “We’ll present the argument that they knew of the situation. There were supervisors who had reason to know and failed to take action.”
The lawsuit seeks judgement against the district, enjoining it from discriminating or retaliating against Golden and monetary damages from both the district and Mason. Golden is still listed as a teacher on the district’s website.
Neither Mason nor Uplinger could be reached Friday for comment. Board President Andrew Corfont referred questions to King, their solicitor, who could not be reached for comment.