Fired principal sues school district

Friday, Nov. 27, 1998 | 11:14 a.m.

A former Las Vegas middle school principal has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Clark County School District that alleges the district fired him because he was Jewish and would not support a School Board candidate backed by Superintendent Brian Cram.

Steven Weiner, who was fired in the spring of 1997 from Robison Middle School, is seeking reinstatement to his former position and back pay. The suit also calls for $200,000 in compensatory damages plus $50,000 in punitive damages per defendant.

Besides the district, defendants include Cram and three other school district officials.

Weiner's termination came amid allegations that, while he was principal of Knudson Middle School between 1989 and mid-1996, he spent school funds on personal items and used school employees for personal errands.

Weiner said that the investigation that led to his termination was started because he refused to support the candidacy of Ruth Johnson, who was elected to the School Board in 1996.

Weiner alleges in the suit that Cram told the former principal that he was disappointed that he would not support Johnson and that Weiner should change his position. Weiner is represented by attorney Richard Segerblom.