Gay Former Edison Principal Settles Discrimination Suit

EDISON, NJ — A former Edison principal who sued the district over sexual orientation discrimination has settled for $307,5000, his lawyers said.

Former Lincoln Elementary School principal Timothy Hart, who is gay, sued the schools in late 2017 after his contract was not renewed. The non-renewal followed negative emails centered on his sexual orientation sent by a school board member. The school board approved the settlement this week, and admitted no wrong doing.

Hart now works as a principal in Livingston, and said he is ready to move on from the ordeal.

"I am proud of what was accomplished during my time leading Lincoln Elementary School. Lincoln has dedicated and hard-working teachers, amazing students, and supportive parents. I thank them all for making my time at Lincoln so special. I am extremely happy now serving as a Principal in Livingston Public Schools and enjoy working in such an inclusive and dynamic community," Hart said in a statement.

According to the suit, Board member Theresa Ward called Hard a "brazen hussy" and said that "[Hart] is a very strange person and should be removed before he does something really weird."

"We are obviously satisfied with the settlement, which we think is fair and equitable. We are proud to have represented Mr. Hart, who is an outstanding educator and can now move forward with this behind him," R. Armen McOmber, Hart's attorney, said in a statement.

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