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Published On: Wed, Jan 16th, 2013

Maria Waltherr-Willard, Ohio school teacher, sues district citing her fear of children

A longtime French and Spanish high school teacher is suing an Ohio school district, alleging it discriminated against her because she has a fear of children.

Maria Waltherr-Willard, 61, who worked for Mariemont City Schools for 35 years, was reassigned from a high school to a junior high in Cincinnati, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Jan. 14.

Her lawsuit claims the district discriminated against her based on age and her “pedophobia,” which can mean an extreme fear or anxiety around young children, the Enquirer said. 

The suit was filed in June 2012.

Waltherr-Willard’s lawsuit claims she has suffered from the condition since the 1990s and that Mariemont had made assurances to her and her lawyer that she would not have to teach young children.

When Waltherr-Willard was transferred to a junior high school, she reportedly asked if there would be a high school position for her the following year.

Maria C. Waltherr-Willard  photo supplied

Maria C. Waltherr-Willard photo supplied

The school district claimed there were no open positions at the high school for her, according to Fox19.com in Cincinnati

She eventually retired in March 2011.

A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed three of the six claims in her lawsuit, claims which alleged Mariemont violated an implied contract to keep her from young students.

District Judge Herman J. Weber said the district lived up to its written contract – with the teachers union – and that Waltherr-Willard would still be employed had she not resigned.

He did not rule on the other main allegations of the suit, giving the district’s attorneys more time to respond to them. If the case goes to trial, it’s scheduled for February 2014, according to court documents.

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About the Author

- Roxanne "Butter" Bracco began with the Dispatch as Pittsburgh Correspondent, but will be providing reports and insights from Washington DC, Maryland and the surrounding region. Contact Roxie aka "Butter" at theglobaldispatch@gmail ATTN: Roxie or Butter Bracco

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