Trial Magazine

Kacey Crum, a teacher in the Blue Springs R-IV School District (BSSD), began working as an assistant principal in the district. She applied for lead principal jobs but was never selected for those positions, which allegedly went to male candidates with less experience. She later served as an elementary school principal but allegedly was paid less than male administrators throughout her four-year tenure, even though she performed substantially equal work.

When her supervisors asked her to transfer to another elementary school as a “stepping stone” in her career path, she accepted a position to serve as the lead principal of the school’s third through fifth grades. The position was challenging for Crum, who received complaints from teachers about the leadership of the school’s male co-principal. As a result, Crum was forced to devote time to the other grade levels’ concerns. She also allegedly was paid less than her co-principal.

Crum was demoted to assistant principal at one of the district’s middle schools and later forced to resign. She now works in another district and must commute over 90 minutes per day.

Crum sued BSSD, alleging employment discrimination based on sex. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant had paid her less than male principals and that the district’s co-principal leadership structure had a disparate impact on female principals.

The jury awarded approximately $472,400, including more than $72,400 for back pay.

Citation: Crum v. Blue Springs R-IV Sch. Dist., No. 2316-CV17342 (Mo. Cir. Ct. Jackson Cnty. Nov. 22, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Jonathan Soper, Colin McClain, and Chelsea Pierce, all of Independence, Mo.