USD 383 school board member Katie Allen is seeking more than $6 million in compensation in her lawsuit against Kansas Department of Education officials, according to new court documents.
Allen filed a federal lawsuit against her former boss, Randy Watson, commissioner of education, for “demanding” she resign after she made a Facebook post in September. She said it was a violation of her First Amendment right to free speech. She has named Watson in his individual capacity and added Jake Steele, the new education commissioner, in his official capacity. The department itself is no longer listed as a defendant.
According to the most recent court documents, Allen is seeking punitive damages in the amount of $5 million, or other amount to be determined by the jury. She also seeks $1 million for “emotional distress and humiliation”; as well as damages for her loss in salary and benefits, which would increase over time and is currently about $120,000; and legal fees.
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