PHILADELPHIA — Two female teachers from Central Bucks School District were awarded $160,000 by a federal jury on Thursday, after they argued that they were underpaid compared to their male counterparts. This verdict, delivered in U.S. District Court, came after a trial that began earlier in the week.
Rebecca Cartee-Haring received $81,000 while Dawn Marinello was awarded $84,000. Although these figures are lower than the amounts the teachers claimed they were owed—$256,000 and $387,399, respectively—the jury determined there was evidence of discrimination within the district’s pay practices, according to the plaintiffs’ attorney, Ed Mazurek. He highlighted that the outcome underscores the disrespect faced by female educators in the district.
Central Bucks officials, however, announced their intention to appeal the ruling. In a statement, eight members of the school board maintained that the jury’s decision did not reflect any willful misconduct on the district’s part. They characterized the awards as a “compromise verdict” and asserted that employee compensations were determined based on lawful, nondiscriminatory factors.
The longstanding equal pay dispute within Central Bucks has roots dating back several years. An earlier case involving over 300 female teachers ended in a hung jury last year, leading U.S. District Court Judge Michael Baylson to decertify the collective-action status of the case. This meant that teachers who wished to pursue claims against the district would have to file suit individually.
Following the decision, over 120 female teachers initiated new lawsuits this year, although the court ruled they must pursue individual claims. Mazurek has appealed this ruling to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, with the case still pending.
In the latest trial, Cartee-Haring and Marinello were required to identify specific male teachers for comparison, instead of comparing themselves to all male educators within the district. The district countered that the selected male teachers performed different roles, such as social studies instructors, and one was additionally compensated for his position as a football coach.
Mazurek challenged the district’s argument, stating that the football coaching role was rewarded separately, and emphasized that both women deserved to be compensated fairly based on their qualifications and experience.
Cartee-Haring, who previously alleged discrimination for being removed as the girls’ lacrosse coach, resigned from the district last year amid the ongoing dispute. She expressed optimism regarding the verdict, suggesting it signifies progress for all women educators in the district. “It’s time to do the right thing,” she stated, urging the district to adopt equitable pay practices for all its employees.
This decision serves as a significant chapter in the broader fight for gender equity in education, reflecting ongoing challenges that women face in similar work environments.
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