In August, the EEOC found reasonable cause that Jeffco violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when it denied reasonable accommodations and forced Jefferson County Education Support Professionals Association (JESPA) member Ron Patterson on leave and then terminated him.
JESPA attempted to resolve the matter at the lowest possible level but ultimately filed a complaint with the EEOC to resolve the matter. After going to arbitration and meeting with the Jeffco Board of Education in executive session in early September to plead Mr. Patterson’s case, the district agreed to “conciliation” with the EEOC, a process designed to bring the parties together to resolve the case without the need for protracted litigation.
Through conciliation, a settlement was reached.
The District agreed to:
- reinstate Mr. Patterson to his former position within 120 days & pay him the salary he would be receiving if he’d never been terminated,
- pay him his full lost pay & benefits in the amount of $126,448.08,
- pay all PERA penalties, interest & late fees necessary to give Ron full PERA credit for the back pay,
- pay Ron emotional distress damages of $50,000, and
- pay Ron $5919.00 per month every month after January 2, 2022 that he is not reinstated.
