Regis school system(Eau Claire) faces discrimination lawsuit

Tim Nelson, who says Regis Catholic Schools pulled an offer to make him its next president because of speculation he is gay, has filed a discrimination suit against the Eau Claire school system.

Nelson, 48, filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Rights Division of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Regis announced on April 4 Nelson would lead the system but on May 2 said it instead has hired 1973 Regis graduate Mark Gobler, principal and athletic director at Luck High School and Middle School, as president.

"I guess at this point it's some type of compensation," Nelson said is what he's looking for.

Regis said the reversal was based on a "lack of candor about his affiliations with religious communities during the interview process."

"That is an outright lie," Nelson said in a phone call from New Mexico where he has worked as supervising principal of a group of American Indian community schools for the past eight years. "Throughout the whole interview process they never asked me anything about my religious life."

Two weeks after Nelson was named Regis' new president, he said Regis school officials called to question him about an obituary for his father, in which another man's name was listed next this his, seemingly indicating they were a couple.

continue at LT

This is a little dated but I haven't had a chance to follow up.

Background

Details on EC Regis president "fired for being gay"

Timothy G. Nelson was overjoyed to sign an agreement naming him president of the Regis Catholic Schools system in his hometown of Eau Claire.

Although the job entailed a $27,000 annual salary cut, Nelson, who currently lives in Farmington, N.M., was grateful for the opportunity to return to the school system that educated him. Even more important to him, he said, was the prospect of spending time with his mother, who is terminally ill.

“It’s difficult going back and forth from New Mexico to take care of her needs,” Nelson explained.

But just three weeks after Nelson accepted the position in mid-March, the Diocese of La Crosse suddenly withdrew the offer. Officials claimed that Nelson had not been candid about his former affiliation with the Franciscan Brothers – an allegation he strongly denies. In fact, Nelson says that he not only spoke at length about his time with the Franciscans during interviews, but he also used several Franciscan chaplains as character references.

Nelson contends that the real reason for the diocese’s change of heart came after officials conducted something of a witch-hunt and discovered what they believed was evidence that he’s gay. Nelson acknowledges that he’s gay, but he resents the petty snooping into his personal life conducted by the diocese, as well as what he calls the “ignorance” that led him to lose a job for which he feels uniquely qualified.

Nelson has filed a complaint with the Equal Rights Division of the Department of Workforce Development in Madison. State law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment decisions.

continue at Wisconsin Gazette (a lot of details, worth following the link)

It goes on to say that the La Crosse Diocese, not the school was ultimately responsible for the decision.

Identifying as gay is I don't think what most people care about.  The way the story is laid out, I doubt Nelson is a member of Courage, or has taken a healthy approach to his sexual identity.  But if he adheres to Catholic teaching on the matter, it doesn't bother me at all to have him working as president of the school. 

A while back there was a small Catholic classical school that was starting up, and parents rallied to shut it down because it was taking away from the local diocesan school.... 

Eau Claire Regis Catholic HS denies president not hired because he is gay

A day after Regis Catholic Schools announced Tim Nelson would not become its next president, he charged that Regis officials pulled the job offer based on speculation he may be gay.

Nelson, 48, who was announced April 4 as the choice to lead the local private school system, said Friday he was "flabbergasted" when system officials informed him nearly three weeks later they intended to revoke his contract because of concerns about his sexual orientation.

"The whole thing is based on assumptions, innuendo and speculation," an obviously upset Nelson said by telephone from New Mexico, where he has worked as supervising principal of a group of American Indian community schools for the past eight years.

Regis denied the allegations Friday in a statement.

"Regis Catholic Schools denies that any assumptions, insinuations or speculation played a part in its decision to not hire Mr. Nelson," the statement said. "Furthermore, Regis Catholic Schools categorically denies that sexual orientation was a part in its decision. Mr. Nelson's speculation is unfounded and untrue."

continue at EC LT

This is a couple weeks ago now.  Haven't seen anything since.  In some places, bishops are threatened with jail for things like this. 

Interesting, it was only a month ago that Nelson was already named president....

Regis Catholic Schools announced Thursday that Tim Nelson will be the next president of Regis Catholic Schools starting July 1st, 2013. A Regis alumnus, Tim grew up in Eau Claire and is looking forward to providing leadership that will build upon the system's recent growth and success. Tim Nelson commented, "I am honored to be offered the role as President of Regis Catholic Schools. Many years ago the area Catholic schools offered me an excellent education and a firm grounding in my Catholic Faith. Now, I look forward to giving back to the schools that provided me with a strong foundation."
.....
RCS Pastoral Dean Father Konopa commented, "We are very excited that Tim Nelson has accepted the position of RCS President. In addition to his close ties to our Catholic schools, Tim's experience in teaching and administration - both in Catholic schools and public schools - makes him an excellent choice to lead the Regis Catholic Schools system."