A former school district employee has filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Matthew M. Lentz filed the complaint against Upper Moreland School District in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on June 3, 2024.
Lentz, who served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Acting District Administrator at Upper Moreland School District, claims that he faced discrimination based on his gender, sexual orientation, and disability. According to the complaint, Lentz was subjected to a hostile work environment by Dr. Susan Elliott, who became Superintendent on July 1, 2022. The lawsuit alleges that Elliott's discriminatory actions included making derogatory comments about working in a "man's world" and undermining Lentz's authority by excluding him from key meetings and decision-making processes.
The complaint details several instances where Lentz reported Elliott's behavior to various officials within the school district. On November 7, 2022, he first raised concerns with Board President April Stainback. Further complaints were made in January 2023 to both Stainback and UMSD Solicitor Kenneth Roos. Despite these reports, an investigation initiated by Elliott into Lentz’s communication style led to further tension. In late March 2023, Lentz filed an internal Title IX complaint citing a hostile work environment due to his gender and sexual orientation.
In response to his complaints, UMSD implemented what they termed "supportive measures," which included requiring Lentz to provide weekly summaries of his work—an action he viewed as punitive rather than supportive. These measures failed to alleviate the hostile environment; instead, they exacerbated his anxiety and depression.
On April 19, 2023, Lentz informed Rossi—the investigator assigned to his Title IX complaint—that Elliott continued her discriminatory behavior despite ongoing investigations. This culminated in UMSD retaining Dr. Yi Wang for an independent medical examination of Lentz on August 10, 2023. Dr. Wang diagnosed him with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and recommended up to twelve weeks of leave along with accommodations upon return.
Despite these recommendations, UMSD disputed Dr. Wang’s findings regarding remote work accommodations essential for managing Lentz’s condition effectively. Faced with ongoing hostility and lack of reasonable accommodations from UMSD, Lentz felt compelled to retire on August 25, 2023—a move publicly misrepresented by UMSD as a resignation.
Lentz seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress and career damage among other losses under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA). He also demands back pay or front pay along with attorney fees plus costs while urging declaratory relief that mandates UMSD cease all unlawful practices against its employees.
Representing Matthew M. Lentz is attorney Scott M. Pollins from Pollins Law located in Wayne PA while Michael D Kristofco from Wisler Pearlstine LLP represents Upper Moreland School District under Judge CMR bearing Case ID: Case No:2:24-cv-02383-CMR.