PHILADELPHIA – A principal is suing her school for age and gender discrimination after she claims she was fired for related reasons.
Gail H. Avicolli filed a complaint oDec. 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against String Theory Schools, Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School and Angela Corosanite, alleging violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and Equal Pay Act and hostile work environment, sex discrimination and retaliation.
According to the complaint, Avicolli was hired by the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School in 2005 as a principal and during her employment she claims to have been an excellent employee, receiving praise and recognition as South Philadelphia's Best Principal in 2012 and was promoted to superintendent. Despite her performance and experience, the plaintiff was eliminated from her position due to budget cuts in June 2014, the complaint states. The plaintiff also claims that while working for the defendants, she was subject to gender discrimination and age discrimination and was not paid as much as male employees in similar positions. She was 67 at the time of her termination, according to the complaint.
She is seeking compensation for all damages, legal and financial. She is represented by Judith P. Rodden of Pozzuolo Rodden PC in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:15-cv-06488