A former special education aide has filed a lawsuit against the Jefferson Township Board of Education in Morris County, alleging she was unlawfully reassigned and ultimately fired due to her pregnancy.Tiffany Messina, who worked at White Rock Elementary School, claims in a complaint filed in New Jersey Superior Court that school officials discriminated against her after she disclosed her pregnancy in January 2024.The lawsuit, filed Jan. 8, names the school board, Principal Michael Valenti, and Superintendent Jeanne Howe....
A former special education aide has filed a lawsuit against the Jefferson Township Board of Education in Morris County, alleging she was unlawfully reassigned and ultimately fired due to her pregnancy.
Tiffany Messina, who worked at White Rock Elementary School, claims in a complaint filed in New Jersey Superior Court that school officials discriminated against her after she disclosed her pregnancy in January 2024.
The lawsuit, filed Jan. 8, names the school board, Principal Michael Valenti, and Superintendent Jeanne Howe.
Valenti and Howe did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. A spokesperson for the Jefferson Township School District did not return a call seeking comment.
Messina was initially assigned to a classroom for students with autism spectrum disorder, where she had received positive feedback.
However, after informing Valenti of her pregnancy, she alleges he removed her from the special education setting, citing concerns for her safety.
“I don’t want you to get hit in the special education classroom,” Valenti allegedly told her, according to the lawsuit.
He later reassigned her to a different autism spectrum disorder classroom, stating she was “less likely to get punched in the stomach.”
Messina contends that after she fell ill in March 2024 and took a school-approved leave, she was accused of misconduct upon her return.
Valenti allegedly told her he had received reports that she hit a child and used profanity in front of students —allegations she denies.
After the accusations, Messina said she made multiple attempts to contact Valenti but received no response.
She was later terminated by Howe, who allegedly refused to discuss her absences or the allegations against her.
The district fired Messina without the required 14 days' notice, violating her employment contract, the suit alleges.
Messina is suing for violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, breach of contract, and emotional distress.
She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and a jury trial.
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