A female Athletic Director has filed a lawsuit against her employer, alleging systemic gender discrimination and retaliation. Serena Pfaff-Henry lodged the complaint on June 10, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Jersey Shore Area School District.
The case details a troubling series of events beginning with Pfaff-Henry's hiring as Athletic Director on August 12, 2019. The situation allegedly deteriorated after Brian Ulmer was appointed Superintendent on April 29, 2020. According to Pfaff-Henry, Ulmer fostered a discriminatory environment for female employees from the outset. She claims that Ulmer believed she should not hold her position and worked to undermine her by offering lower pay increases compared to male colleagues and denying her requests for necessary support staff while providing such resources to male counterparts.
Pfaff-Henry’s complaints include an incident on March 23, 2022, when she reported Mark Wall, Director of Maintenance and Grounds, for failing to set up essential equipment for track and field events. Despite evidence supporting her claims and recommendations from then-Principal Steven Keen, no disciplinary action was taken against Wall. Furthermore, Wall allegedly called Pfaff-Henry derogatory names without facing any repercussions.
The harassment escalated in early 2022 when Ulmer began criticizing Pfaff-Henry’s job performance based on criteria not applied to male directors. On April 25, 2022, she was suspended without pay for missing a meeting that lacked a specified location. Subsequent meetings led to further suspensions based on pretextual reasons such as untimely responses to communications—requirements not imposed on her male peers.
On July 21, 2022, Pfaff-Henry filed sex/gender discrimination and retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) with both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC). Despite these filings being pending, Ulmer continued his alleged harassment by issuing additional disciplinary actions and negative performance reviews aimed at discrediting her work.
Pfaff-Henry seeks compensatory damages for lost wages and benefits along with punitive damages for emotional distress caused by the hostile work environment. She also requests reasonable attorney’s fees and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Pfaff-Henry is attorney Joshua J. Cochran from Schemery Zicolello law firm. The case is presided over by Chief Judge Brann under Case ID No: 4:24-cv-00954.