Pregnant teacher discrimination suit OK'd

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A North Carolina judge refused to dismiss a teacher's lawsuit claiming she was unfairly demoted by her school district when she became pregnant.

Heather Zampogna says she was moved from a teaching position in which she was voted Teacher of the Year to a tutoring job at one of the lowest performing schools in the district, after the Gaston County school board learned she was pregnant and unmarried, The Charlotte Observer reported Sunday.

Superintendent Reeves McGlohon, who was assistant superintendent at the time, called Zampogna immoral and pressured her to get married, the teacher said.

The school board claims Zampogna teacher was not demoted, the newspaper said. The baby's father, who also teaches in the school district, was not moved but he later requested a transfer.

In a Dec. 26 decision, Judge Robert Conrad denied the school board's motion to dismiss the lawsuit, but also ruled Zampogna cannot claim emotional distress caused by negligence because discrimination is intentional, the newspaper said.

Zampogna's claim of discrimination, however, was allowed to move forward.

Zampogna gave birth to a daughter, Joclyn, in June 2006.