Union Day School’s former principal files lawsuit against board

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Union Day School’s former principal has filed a lawsuit against the school’s board saying he was fired as a result of “an unfair and illegal” process.

Channel 9 reported Matthew Hamilton’s firing was the reason for teacher walkouts and canceled classes the following week at the Union County charter school.

In a 75-page document, Hamilton alleges he was terminated after private meetings of Union Day’s board. He said the “secret” meetings violated the open meetings law.

Hamilton also said the public reasons given for his firing all differed, and two of the reasons provided were false.

In the lawsuit, Hamilton said the firing stemmed from a misunderstanding of what his job role was. The finance director filed a grievance against Hamilton after exchanging emails with him. Hamilton said he had not been made aware the finance director reported directly to the board and not to him.

“To see what has been put out there about me knowingly that is untrue, it’s been hard,” Hamilton said.

He said three board members gave him a warning about the incident in a private meeting on Sept. 27. When he refuted that warning after the Oct. 11 board meeting, Hamilton said he was fired four days later in a private meeting.

Hamilton went on to say that after his termination, the school gave four different reasons for parting ways with him claiming:

• They called it a “business decision.”
• In his termination letter, the board said it was due to his “disrespectful communications with Board members [and] other staff members,” and because of “unwillingness to comply with the Board’s directives.” It said Hamilton’s written response to the Sept. 27 reprimand “made clear [he was] no longer able to serve with the Board’s trust and confidence.”
• In an email addressed to parents on Oct. 19, the board chair said Hamilton was “terminated for cause.”
• In another email to parents on Oct. 22, the board chair said Hamilton was fired for “a long pattern of misconduct that included but was not limited to abusive behavior, insubordination and other inappropriate and discriminatory actions towards school staff.”

Hamilton said the final two statements were false.

He said he was entitled to financial compensation for what he has been through and for his loss of income, and asked to be reinstated as head of school at Union Day.

“My hope is that we can, somehow, move past this and I can go back to being with my family and students again,” Hamilton said.

If things don’t work out, Hamilton said he will look for another school that values his skillset.

Hamilton’s dismissal was met with widespread backlash and protests.

He said he wants to remind his students of what he used to tell them every day over the loudspeaker: “Make it a great day. The choice is yours.”

“No matter what the outcome here that I hope that I have some impact on their lives in a positive way, and I want them to know they have had a positive impact on my life,” he said.

Nov. 4, 2021 statement from Matthew Tilley, legal counsel to the Union Day School Board of Directors:

“We have reviewed the lawsuit filed by the former head of school and are confident it is without merit. The UDS Board has always conducted its business in an open and transparent manner, in compliance with open meetings laws as well as the school’s charter and bylaws, which are regulated by the State. We will defend the lawsuit as we would any other frivolous claim. In the meantime, the Board, administration and teachers remain focused on our shared mission to provide the high-quality education our students deserve.”

“I am strong with my faith. I have a great network, a great church family, friend group, Hamilton said.

Hamilton has dedicated the last 16 years of his life to education, and that is all he’s ever wanted to do. He said it is a blessing to serve others.

“I’ve worked my entire career to love people to serve people and to do the best I can,” Hamilton said.

(WATCH BELOW: Teachers on strike, classes still canceled at Union County charter school)

Teachers on strike, classes still canceled at Union County charter school

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