CLIFTON PARK – An 11th grade teacher at Shenendehowa High School plans to sue the school district for $1.9 million for alleged retaliation, saying school officials moved to fire her because she spoke about having a wife.

Tammy Crump, a teacher for 17 years, argued in a notice of claim that officials are trying to terminate her because she had "conversations that heterosexual teachers at the district commonly have with students on a daily basis without any form of discipline."

Crump made additional references to happy hour and her father being a "manly man," according to the notice which shows the teacher's intent to sue the district.

Crump, who teaches American Studies and Advanced Placement Language and Composition to upper level 11th graders, has an "unblemished record" with no prior discipline. But now school officials have banned her from teaching class or having any contact with teachers or students in the district – including the union's grievance chair in the district, the notice of claim said.

She alleged school officials are punishing her because of her sexual orientation and have denied her freedom of speech, among other actions. Crump argued that disciplinary charges imposed on her June 6 were about her criticism of a student's published article and form no basis for firing.

"Criticisms of the student's article would not form the basis of a claim for termination except for the fact that (Crump) otherwise speaks about her wife and father with students, and those conversations are about a spouse of the same sex and because (Crump) has advocated on educational concerns that the district administration has opposed," she said.

Officials brought formal charges against Crump on June 6, alleging the teacher engaged in misconduct, stated the notice of claim, submitted by Crump's attorney, Kevin Luibrand.

It stated: "You discussed your personal life with one or more students in class, including one or more of the following subjects: a. your wife; b. your father, who you described as a manly man; and/or c. that you were looking forward to happy hour."

Under district policy, teachers are allowed to tell students about their families and subjects such as "vacations, trips, unusual events, amusing experiences, and general activities particularly after class or as relates to class subject matter," the notice of claim said.

"(Crump) spoke in and after her high school classes with students about her relationship with her spouse, who is of the same gender as (Crump), and about her family unit, typically about her family unit engaging in the same family activities above that other teachers discuss with students also after class or as relates to class subject matter," the notice said.

The notice said Crump spoke out publicly and in writing to school officials on a district-wide plan about grading policies and regulations. It said she advocated for positions at odds with some of the administration.

"These communications were related to matters of significant educational and public concern to parents, teachers and students of the district and (Crump) presented herself at proper venues and networks for advocacy," the notice said. "Members of the district's administration were critical of the advocacy by (Crump) and regarded the advocacy as improper."

Shenendehowa schools superintendent L. Oliver Robinson said Crump is still employed but that he could not comment on a personnel matter.

Update: On Tuesday morning — after the preceding article appeared on the front page of the Times Union — the district sent this statement to the district via its Campus Messenger system:

"The Times Union newspaper reported on October 17, 2018, in an article entitled "Lesbian Teacher Banned, May Sue," that a Notice of Claim was filed by a teacher "arguing that the district was trying to terminate her because she had conversations that heterosexual teachers at the district commonly have with students on a daily basis without any form of discipline."

As a member of the Shenendehowa community, it is vitally important for you to know that the District would never violate the confidentiality of teacher, student or staff member. Ms. Crump, as stated in the news article, has filed a Notice of Claim against the district for bringing disciplinary charges against her concerning her actions in the classroom which violate district policies. There are seven charges and five pages of specifications. The allegations made in the Notice of Claim are false.

The District has not and would not take any action against someone based on their sexual preference or exercise of free speech. In fact, the district takes tremendous pride in fostering a school environment that is free of bullying, harassment, discrimination and acts of bigotry. The statements in the Notice of Claim are false and without merit."