Ex-Camden School Employee Gets $175K In Age-Discrimination Settlement

CAMDEN, NJ — A former Camden school employee will receive a $175,000 settlement following allegations of age discrimination against the district.

The complainant worked for the Camden City School District for 23 years and applied for a new position in the school system after getting laid off, according to the state Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Following an improper interview process, the district chose a less-qualified candidate for the role, the agency said.

A state investigation found evidence that the Camden district refused to hire the former employee in part because of their age. Under an agreement reached Dec. 20, the school system will pay the complainant $175,487, which includes lost wages and at least three years of pension credit.

The case arose out of an age-discrimination complaint filed with the OAG's Division of Civil Rights (DCR). According to the DCR's ensuing investigation, the district hired a different candidate who was "more closely aligned" with the needs of the position.

But investigators found that the complainant had superior qualifications, including more than 20 years working directly with district students and teachers. Additionally, the complainant's job interview was conducted by an employee of the same rank who wasn't authorized to make hiring decisions, the DCR said.

The DCR found "sufficient evidence to create a reasonable suspicion" that the school district violated state discrimination law, the OAG said.

"In New Jersey, no one is allowed to discriminate against a potential employee because of their age. It's the law," said state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. "School districts, as institutions of learning and public trust, have a special responsibility to follow the law. When they don’t, we will hold them accountable."

A spokesperson for the Camden City School District didn't return Patch's request for comment.

The district agreed to resolve the matter after the DCR issued a Finding of Probable Cause into the allegations. Under the settlement terms, Camden City Schools must also ensure compliance with the state Law Against Discrimination, provide anti-discrimination training to its workforce, and provide the DCR with regular reports on hiring decisions for central-office and clerical staff.

Camden City Schools must also pay the DCR for the administrative costs of the investigation.