Cherry Hill, NJ – A former assistant principal at Cherry Hill High School East is suing the district, alleging he lost his job after speaking out about conduct he believed was discriminatory and inappropriate.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in Camden County Superior Court, was brought by David Francis-Maurer, who began working at the high school in 2023. According to the complaint, his contract was not renewed and he was placed on administrative leave after repeatedly raising concerns about comments and behavior by school officials.
Francis-Maurer, who is gay and Jewish, says the problems began at the start of the 2024–25 school year when principal Daniel Finkle allegedly told him to “leave his identities at the door.” The suit also cites a social media controversy in which Finkle appeared in a Student Government Association Instagram post lip-syncing to the line, “My pronouns are U.S.A.,” which Francis-Maurer said mocked gender identity.
Parents and staff allegedly complained about the post, but when Francis-Maurer brought the issue forward, the complaint states Finkle “brushed off” the concerns. Later that fall, during a student meeting, Finkle allegedly said, “I wear my Star of David on the inside, not the outside.”
The situation escalated in January, when a parent allegedly made “repulsive and homophobic” remarks about Francis-Maurer during a phone call. According to the lawsuit, Finkle dismissed the incident and told him to “investigate the matter himself.”
Francis-Maurer contends that instead of addressing these issues, the Cherry Hill Board of Education retaliated by removing him from his role. The lawsuit accuses the district of fostering a hostile work environment and engaging in targeted retaliation after he spoke out.
Key Points
- Former Cherry Hill High School East assistant principal David Francis-Maurer is suing the district.
- He alleges he was told to “leave his identities at the door” and that his concerns over discriminatory conduct were dismissed.
- The suit claims his contract was not renewed in retaliation for raising objections.
The case places one of New Jersey’s largest school districts under scrutiny over workplace discrimination and retaliation claims.