MAPLE PARK – Kaneland School District 302 is denying that officials with the district discriminated against a male fifth-grade teacher who is suing the district.

On Monday, Kaneland Superintendent Jeff Schuler said he had reviewed the lawsuit filed in federal court against District 302 by Richard Scott, who teaches at McDole Elementary School in Montgomery. The suit also names as defendants Schuler, former Kaneland Superintendent Charles McCormick and McDole Principal Martne McCoy.

And he said Scott's charges against the district and the other three named defendants are not true.

"We can't say much, because of the pending nature of the litigation brought by Mr. Scott," Schuler said. "But I can say that the allegations contained in this action are false."

Schuler further went on to state that the district "remains committed to the fair treatment of all of its employees."

Scott alleged in the suit, filed June 22, that the district allowed McCoy to discriminate against him, singling him out for poor performance reviews because he was the only male teacher at McDole.

Scott said the district also refused his requests to be transferred to Kaneland's middle school, which he asked for based on the gender discrimination he alleged and based on his disability, adult attention deficit disorder.

He further alleged that the district's refusal to grant his requests worsened a state of depression that he said is medically documented, forcing him to seek medical treatment, including hospitalization, and placing stress on his marriage.

Scott, who is suing along with his wife, Debi Thomas, is seeking a judgment of more than $375,000.