A federal lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Eastern District Court Friday by Pleasantview Elementary School principal Falicia Moreland-Trice against Eastpointe Community Schools and Superintendent Christina Gibson.

This is the fifth federal discrimination lawsuit filed by current or former employees against ECS and Gibson in the past two years.

The 24-page complaint filed by attorney Jeffrey C. Hart of Smith, Haughey, Rice & Rogge on behalf of Moreland-Trice alleges racial discrimination, creating a hostile work environment, and First Amendment retaliation.

Prior to filing the complaint in federal court, Moreland-Trice filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and was granted a right to sue letter by the EEOC in February.

The complaint filed on Friday alleges that during a July 2024 training session held at the University of Virginia Charlottesville campus, Gibson directed racist remarks toward Moreland-Trice stating “Blacks would be more inclined to shop at Whole Foods if it offered ‘chitterlings and greens.’”

In addition, the complaint describes the disparity in treatment Moreland-Trice received compared to her White counterpart at Bellview Elementary School. Pleasantview Elementary had 320 students compared to Bellview’s 205 students, but Moreland-Trice alleges that teachers were taken from Pleasantview and moved to Bellview and that additional seating was provided for Bellview students and not for those at Pleasantview. Gibson allegedly told Moreland-Trice that “your kids can sit on the floor.”

According to the complaint, Moreland-Trice feared for her life when a parent attempted to enter a school bus with a handgun while threatening the Pleasantview principal. The parent, who was charged with brandishing a firearm, was given a “no trespass” letter after the incident and told they could not attend an upcoming “moving up” ceremony.

Gibson allegedly overruled the no trespass letter and invited the parent to the ceremony. Moreland-Trice told Gibson she would not attend because she feared for her life and alleges that Gibson forced her to attend and that the parent physically and verbally assaulted her.

The complaint describes other alleged incidents of discrimination by Gibson including not allowing Black teachers to sit together at a meeting but making no move to separate White teachers at the same meeting.

After making complaints about racial discrimination, Moreland-Trice alleges that she received disciplinary action from Gibson that was unwarranted, a violation of First Amendment rights, and damaging to her professional reputation.

No specific dollar amount is mentioned with regard to damages sought by Moreland-Trice, but the complaint seeks damages and equitable and injunctive relief together with costs, interest, and attorney fees.

Hart is requesting a jury trial.

Eastpointe Community Schools issued a statement April 1 regarding this latest litigation stating that the district is not able to comment on pending litigation: We are continuing to work with district legal representation to assess these claims and are prepared to defend against these allegations vigorously as we continue our work to serve and educate the children in our community.