This week, a federal lawsuit was filed that exposed an alleged racial slur. The lawsuit sparked outrage in the community and eventually led to a school board member resigning.
Below is a video, timeline of events and details about what happens next.
Timeline of events
Jan. 1: Todd J. Hollis, a Pittsburgh attorney who lives in Monroeville and has a child enrolled at Gateway, files a federal racial disrimination lawsuit on behalf of Korie Morton-Rozier, who in February applied to be the district’s new athletic director.
Jan. 3: The Tribune-Review uncovers the lawsuit in an article, which put into focus the school board’s decision to hire Don Holl as the district’s athletic director. The suit claims that decision was fueled by a text sent by school board member Paul Caliari to other board members in a group text when he asked whether Morton-Rozier “date(ed) the darkies.” Holl is white. So is Morton-Rozier, who has been married to a Black man since 2005.
Jan. 5: The Gateway community expresses outrage over the seemingly racial slur and many demand he resigns. Caliari explains the text as a “misfire,” vows to not resign and blames the lawsuit on a political attack by a fellow board member.
Jan. 6: Allegheny East and Pennsylvania NAACP president, Kenneth Huston, officially demands Caliari’s resignation during a virtual press conference.
Huston said Caliari’s text was racially discriminatory and “serves as an injustice to all students making an effort to acquire educational excellence.”
Jan. 7: Board member Caliari changes course and offers his resignation. The announcement was made through a letter addressed to Gateway families and authored by Gateway Superintendent William Short.
What’s next
The Gateway school board will need to fill the vacancy within 30 days by appointing a new member who will serve through the month of November. Caliari’s seat was set to expire Dec. 31, 2021.
The board has not announced details spelling out the appointment process.
Brian Goppman, the school board president, and Short, the superintendent, have not responded to multiple requests for comment.
Both Gateway School District and Caliari have until Jan. 28 to issue a response to Morton-Rozier’s complaint, according to court documents.
Court records also show that attorneys Joseph Cavrich and Salvatore Bittner will serve as counsel of record for the district. Records do not list representation for Caliari.
