ST. LOUIS – A former instructional coach for a St. Louis charter school alleges comments by the school's executive director caused her to lose a job offer.
Regina Kathreen Smith filed a complaint on Jan. 30 in the St. Louis Circuit Court against Carondelet Leadership Academy and Patrice Coffin alleging defamation and tortious interference with business expectancy.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Aug. 25, 2016, she quit her employment with defendants due to the alleged mistreatment of two children with medical issues.
After completing her doctoral work in education in May 2017, the suit states the plaintiff applied for a vacant vice principal position at North Side Academy. The suit states North Side's principal called CLA to verify the plaintiff's employment and spoke to Coffin, CLA's executive director, who "portrayed plaintiff in a negative light." The plaintiff alleges Coffin's statements cost her the job offer.
The plaintiff holds Carondelet Leadership Academy and Coffin responsible because Coffin allegedly made false and disparaging statements.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendants, jointly and severally, for damages, in an amount exceeding $25,000, plus cost and all other relief deemed just and appropriate. She is represented by David R. Bohm, Jeffrey R. Schmitt and Michael R. Cherba of Danna McKitrick PC in St. Louis.
St. Louis Circuit Court case number 1922cc214