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Judge denies new jersey school district’s bid to toss teacher’s age discrimination suit — Empty Classroom - File Photo - Bigstock Photo

CAMDEN, N.J. – A longtime physical education teacher’s lawsuit accusing the Washington Township Public Schools of age discrimination will move forward after a federal judge refused to dismiss the case.

U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams ruled that sufficient evidence exists for a jury to decide whether the district unlawfully passed over teacher Guy Campagna, who has worked in the district since 2006.

The district had sought summary judgment, arguing there was no proof that age played a role in its hiring decision.

Teacher claims unfair treatment in promotion process

Court filings show Campagna, 50, applied in September 2020 for a vacant physical education position at Bunker Hill Middle School after more than two decades in elementary education. He was granted a remote interview with Principal Michael D’Ostilio and Assistant Principal Kelly Donahue but was not selected for the job.

Campagna, who was named the district’s Teacher of the Year in 2017–2018, claimed that younger, less experienced candidates were chosen instead. He said he believed his age was a deciding factor in being denied the transfer.

District’s defense and court’s decision

The Washington Township Board of Education denied discrimination, stating that its hiring decisions were based on candidate fit and performance in interviews. Attorneys for the district argued Campagna had no direct evidence that age influenced the outcome.

Judge Williams, however, found that Campagna presented enough circumstantial evidence to raise questions about whether age bias played a part. The judge cited Campagna’s strong performance record and lack of disciplinary issues as factors that a jury could weigh.

Case moves toward trial

The ruling means Campagna’s claims under both federal and New Jersey anti-discrimination laws will proceed to trial unless a settlement is reached. The case, filed in 2022, has drawn attention among educators and employment law observers across South Jersey.

Both sides have been ordered to prepare for pretrial proceedings in Camden federal court.

The federal court found that the veteran teacher’s age discrimination lawsuit against Washington Township Public Schools must proceed to trial.

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