Lawsuit Lodges Claims Of Antisemitism Against Avon Schools

AVON, CT — A family is suing Avon school officials, claiming they failed to take action when their child was subjected to antisemitic bullying from fellow students.

The lawsuit claims the school district refused to implement educational programming related to antisemitism, and retaliated when the family advocated for changes.

It asserts the family’s complaints resulted in a family member, who is a teacher, being passed over for local employment opportunities.

The plaintiffs, Gregory Wolfe and Julie Sherman Wolfe, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Connecticut in June.

The litigation names Avon Public Schools, the Town of Avon, and Avon High School Principal Stephanie Lockhart as defendants.

According to the lawsuit, the Wolfe family is Jewish ethnically and religiously.

It describes Gregory Wolfe as an experienced educator and long-term substitute for Avon Public Schools. His spouse, Julie Wolfe is a parent advocate. Their son, identified by his initials, “C.W.” in court documents, was a student at Avon High School.

The lawsuit claims C.W. was subjected to antisemitic slurs from other students both in middle school and high school.

Following the events of Oct. 7, 2023, C.W. told his parents that the Israel-Hamas conflict was being discussed in a class aimed at ancient world history.

The lawsuit asserts the class material did not present the Israeli or Jewish perspective on the Oct. 7 attack or its aftermath, and Gregory Wolfe reached out to the teacher and later the district superintendent to explain his concerns.

The lawsuit states he “believed those omissions created a distorted classroom discussion that contributed to hostility toward Jewish students.”

According to the lawsuit, C.W. was taunted at a football practice, with teammates claiming they were “big supporters of the (Hamas) organization and what they did on October 7, 2023.” C.W. ultimately decided to leave the football program, the lawsuit states.

During a high school class, a student asked C.W. if he was Jewish, and when he said he was, the student reached into his pocket and produced a plastic baggie full of pennies, then threw it on the ground at his feet, the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, C.W.’s education was being affected by “a culture of antisemitism at Avon High School.”

The lawsuit claims the plaintiffs’ attempts to get local educational programming aimed at combating antisemitism were unsuccessful.

Gregory Wolfe, a teacher, claims he was denied employment opportunities and passed over for positions in the Avon school district despite his lengthy background in education. Instead, roles went to less-experienced candidates, the lawsuit asserts.

The lawsuit claims this was due to his advocacy for Jewish students and for changes to the curriculum. It claims he was subjected to religious discrimination and retaliation.

The lawsuit seeks back pay, front pay, benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, plus attorney fees and costs.

The plaintiffs are also seeking the implementation of antisemitism-specific education and training for administrators, faculty, staff, and students in Avon.

Avon Superintendent of Schools Bridget Carnemolla issued the following statement Friday:

“We are aware of the lawsuit that has been filed and are addressing the allegations with our legal counsel. Because this matter is the subject of pending litigation, we cannot comment on the specific allegations. We disagree with the characterization of many of the claims that have been made and will address them through the legal process. We look forward to resolving this matter through that process while continuing to treat all members of our school community with professionalism and respect.”