Manhattan School District 114 — Former HR Director Files Civil Rights Lawsuit against the District
When both the Manhattan School District 114’s superintendent, Russel “Rusty” Ragon, and the Director of Human Resources, Communications, and Professional Development, Christine Ruddy, abruptly resigned late last February, their resignation letters were brief and vague.
They did not indicate a reason for leaving other than personal reasons, and a statement from the district at the time was equally as vague.
New details have emerged after Ruddy filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the school district on August 30, alleging sex-based discrimination, a hostile work environment and sex-based harassment. This follows an EEOC Notice of a Right to Sue issued by the commission on August 26.
In the lawsuit, Ruddy alleges that then-superintendent Ragon had been allowed to retire after his resignation and receive full benefits, yet she was forced to resign without being able to finish her contract that was set to expire June 30, 2026, have her contract paid out, or receive any other benefits.
Both resignations stem from a consensual sexual relationship between Ruddy and Ragon, according to the lawsuit. The complaint filed by Ruddy’s attorney makes several allegations against Ragon and the district.
The first of the allegations include that Ragon had distributed explicit photos of Ruddy that she had intended solely for Ragon’s viewing after she learned of a November 2023 EEOC charge against Ragon and the district.
Ragon then allegedly forced her to share all of the explicit photos with the School District’s Attorney for a district investigation, and once the internal investigation concluded, the district demanded her resignation, Ruddy charged in the suit.
If Ruddy refused, she alleged that the district threatened to make the investigation into her nude photos and sexual relationship public.
When Farmers Weekly Review filed a February 2024 FOIA request of the district requesting communications between Ruddy and Ragon, the request was denied by the district’s law firm, Petrarca, Gleason, Boyle & Izzo, citing an unduly burdensome request.
The lawsuit did not identify the specific attorney from the school district’s firm who allegedly instructed Ruddy to resign.
The EEOC does not release information regarding charges to the public or media, so the details of the November filing are not available at this time.
Ruddy’s initial charge of discrimination filed with the EEOC in March was included as an exhibit in the lawsuit. Ruddy’s charge stated that she felt highly uncomfortable with the situation and did not want to resign, but felt forced.
“I was shocked to witness the disparate treatment between genders, as we were equally involved in the same situation, yet, I, as a female, was forced to resign while my male counterpart was allowed to retire and enjoy the associated benefits,” Ruddy wrote in her charge of discrimination, filed March 26, 2024.
Ruddy is demanding a jury trial and seeking relief that includes back pay with interest, payment of interest on all recoverable back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, the awarding of pre-judgment interest if applicable, and any and all other such relief as the Court deems just and proper.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.