Blount County, AL – A teacher from the Blount County Learning Center (BCLC) has filed a federal lawsuit against the Blount County Board of Education, claiming repeated instances of pregnancy discrimination. Glenda Katlyn Kon Standridge, who has worked as a special needs teacher since 2018, filed the suit in August 2023. Her complaint cites violations of the Civil Rights Act and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, asserting that she faced ongoing discrimination from her supervisor, Principal Stephen Love, and the school board.
According to the lawsuit, Standridge endured frequent disparaging comments from Principal Love after each of her pregnancies. When she informed him of her fifth pregnancy in April 2022, he allegedly made remarks questioning her family choices, stating, “Well, you know what causes that,” and, “Five kids is a lot of kids.” Love also reportedly added, “Most people have a TV,” implying that Standridge’s choice to have a large family was excessive. The complaint claims these remarks exemplify his bias against pregnant women in the workplace.
Standridge’s lawsuit also details instances where she says she was denied appropriate accommodations after returning from maternity leave. For example, during her previous pregnancies, Principal Love initially instructed her to pump breast milk in a “control board closet,” which was uncomfortably hot. When she raised concerns, she was advised to see if her colleagues would allow her to use their cool-down room. She ultimately resorted to a small closet used by a colleague as a plant grow room.
Despite her qualifications, Standridge alleges that she was passed over for several promotions due to her pregnancies. The complaint outlines various examples, including her application for a Transitional Kindergarten position at Cleveland Elementary School. Although Standridge had the required certification, she claims that the position went to Emilee Nelson, who did not obtain the necessary certification until several months after beginning the role.
In another instance, Standridge applied for an Early Childhood Special Education position at the BCLC. The lawsuit states that Principal Love recommended another candidate, Ashley Seals, who was not yet certified at the time of her selection. According to Standridge, she was well-qualified and held the appropriate certifications and background clearances for all the positions she applied for but was repeatedly overlooked in favor of less-qualified, non-pregnant candidates.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, backpay, and front pay to address the impact of the alleged discrimination. It also requests an injunction to prevent further discriminatory practices within the Blount County School District.
Standridge’s claims, if substantiated, underscore ongoing concerns about workplace equality and fair treatment for employees balancing careers and family obligations. The case is pending in the Northern District of Alabama. The Blount County Board of Education has not commented on the lawsuit as of this publication.
A copy of the lawsuit is below.
