An Oklahoma school district is accused of illegally refusing to rehire a teacher after he returned from military deployment. Now the Department of Justice is suing.
On July 16, 2019, Michael J. McCullough began working for Oklahoma City Public Schools as a band teacher. He then became a member of the United States Air Force Reserve in June 2020, according to the lawsuit filed May 29.
McCullough was employed as a music teacher with the school district for the 2021-2022 school year. However, in February 2022, he received a non-continuance notice from the school.
So he reached out to Cindy Lang, the principal of Fillmore Elementary School, where he taught at the time, according to the lawsuit.
She responded in an email, saying she “didn’t know they were sending out the non continuing [sic] letters today,” according to court documents. “That’s just protocol. All teachers under two years get that. I’d like you to stay if you are happy.’”
After receiving this email, McCullough believed he would continue his employment through the 2022-2023 school year.
A day later, he received orders for military service beginning Feb. 14, the lawsuit said.
McCullough notified school officials that he would have to take a leave of absence to fulfill his military duties. Then, he received an email from Lang.
“I’m trying to wrap my mind around this and I’m very concerned. So I’m paying you all year and have to have a sub? It would make…
