Teacher with cerebral palsy sues Clark County schools

An autism teacher who suffers from cerebral palsy has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Clark County School District.

David Richter, who is represented by attorneys Patrick Kang and Kyle Tatum, filed the complaint Monday in federal court.

According to Richter’s lawsuit, the school district subjected him to disparate treatment because of his disability.

Spokeswoman Melinda Malone said the district does not comment on pending litigation.

Richter began his employment in August 2013 as an intermediate autism teacher with a starting salary of $38,500 a year, according to the complaint.

“Despite his disability, Mr. Richter is a qualified teacher who devotes his time and attention to students with disabilities,” the lawsuit states.

According to the document, Richter was injured by students at least nine times and requested an assistant to help control the students in his classroom.

“As Mr. Richter continued to request accommodations and report violence and aggressiveness in the classroom, he began to notice hostile treatment from his supervisor” and others, the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit claims Richter was subjected to more severe disciplines than nondisabled teachers at the school who engaged in the same conduct.

In January, his only student aide was removed from his classroom, according to the document.

On Jan. 7, Richter “was unable to properly restrain a student” and received a five-day suspension, according to the lawsuit.

“Mr. Richter eventually went to his teachers union for assistance and was advised that he should resign, or he would almost assuredly be terminated,” according to the lawsuit. Richter followed the advice.

Richter is seeking more than $50,000 in compensatory damages, plus punitive damages.

Contact Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710. Find her on Twitter: @CarriGeer.