Federal Agency Finds Woodburn School District Discriminated

WOODBURN, Ore. (AP) – The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has concluded that a school district in Oregon serving primarily Latino students discriminated against a non-US citizen who sought a job as a teacher there.

The Department of Justice did not identify the person, who was considered the most qualified applicant by the Woodburn School District’s hiring committee, or provide the person’s nationality. The department said the person was authorized to work in the United States.

Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division said DOJ is committed to removing unlawful discriminatory barriers.

Jenne Marquez, executive secretary to the school district’s superintendent, was quoted as saying by Oregon Public Broadcasting that the district will use this as a training opportunity to prevent future incidents.

The district must pay the rejected applicant $5,800 and a penalty of $5,500.