HUNTINGTON BEACH : Sexual Harassment Claim Is Dismissed
The Ocean View School District Board of Trustees this week rejected a claim filed by a former secretary who charges that the superintendent sexually harassed her. The $1-million claim was filed by former district secretary Judy Martell, 48. Trustees fired Martell Nov. 29 because she refused to take a psychiatric test the district ordered.
Supt. James R. Tarwater has denied the allegations made by his former executive secretary. The district had an outside law firm conduct an investigation into the charges and determined that there was no evidence to support the allegations.
Attorney Sharon Lowsen, who is representing Martell, said the claim was filed as a routine procedure to exhaust administrative remedies before Martell can file a lawsuit.
An administrative hearing regarding Martell’s dismissal will be held in March. But Lowsen said she expects the district to reject Martell’s appeal.
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