Ex-Secretary Sues District 214 for Making Her Quit Over Crying Bouts Caused by Depression

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A lawsuit filed last week by a former secretary with Township High School District 214 claims officials in the school system forced her to resign without trying to help her cope with the depression, anxiety and other medical disorders that caused her to cry uncontrollably, the Daily Herald reports.

The Huntley woman, Noemi Valdivia, also filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Opportunity Commission that accuses district workers of disparaging remarks concerning Hispanic students, the report added.

The district refuted the claims in the lawsuit, telling the Herald on Monday that officials "are confident these allegations are unfounded." Valdivia's suit is asking for her to be reinstated at her job, back pay, lost benefits and legal fees, the report stated.

In Valdivia's lawsuit, which was filed Friday, Nov. 4, the former secretary says she was transferred in July from Elk Grove High School — where she had worked for around six years — to Wheeling High School, the report stated. After the transfer, Valdivia started to have periods in which she couldn't stop crying, the report added.

Valdivia, who's from Huntley, then notified Wheeling's principal in early August that she had been feeling confused and overwhelmed since the transfer, according to the report. The principal asked Valdivia if she wanted to resign, and she eventually decided to do that, effective Aug. 11, the report added.

On Aug, 9, however, Valdivia changed her mind and went to the prinicpal's house to take back her resignation, the report stated. But she was told she couldn't because her position had been filled, the report added.

It wasn't until later in the month that Valdivia finally was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and panic disorders, according to the report.

More via the Daily Herald

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