Court Opinion

ID: 3191330
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-04-05 13:04:36.428897+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:20:02.809964
License: Public Domain

In the Missouri Court of Appeals
                                Western District

JANICE TURNER,                     )
                      Respondent, )
v.                                 )                WD78309
                                   )
KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS,        )                FILED: April 5, 2016
                        Appellant. )

      APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF JACKSON COUNTY
              THE HONORABLE JUSTINE E. DEL MURO, JUDGE

          BEFORE DIVISION TWO: MARK D. PFEIFFER, PRESIDING JUDGE,
             LISA WHITE HARDWICK AND JAMES E. WELSH, JUDGES

      Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) appeals from a judgment awarding actual

and punitive damages to Janice Turner on her retaliation claim. KCPS contends

Turner failed to present sufficient evidence to support her claims. For the reasons

explained herein, we find no error and affirm the judgment.

                         FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

      Turner worked as a secretary at various KCPS schools from 1991 to 2012.

When the 2010-2011 school year ended, Turner was furloughed from her

secretarial position at Southwest High School. She filed a union grievance claiming

wrongful termination because she had worked for KCPS longer than other
secretaries who were retained. KCPS reinstated Turner to her position at

Southwest after determining that her seniority had been miscalculated.

        During the 2011-2012 school year, Turner began having difficulties with

KCPS administrators even though she had never received discipline in her prior

years of service. On February 7, 2012, Turner filed a union grievance regarding her

inability to obtain work supplies or coverage for lunch breaks and alleging that

another secretary was being shown favoritism by KCPS. In response, Southwest

Vice Principal Derek Jordan established written lunch break times, created a

staggered work schedule to ensure coverage for all breaks, and clarified the duties

of each secretary in writing.

        On April 15, 2012, after conditions at Southwest did not improve, Turner

filed another union grievance alleging a “hostile work environment.” Three days

later, Vice Principal Jordan issued Turner a “Letter of Reprimand.”1 The letter

alleged several incidents in which Turner had previously engaged in misconduct,

including: (1) taking a prom dress from a student donation; (2) calling another

secretary a “bitch;” (3) purchasing a cup of coffee for a student; and (4) stating

loudly that she had “had enough of this and [was] leaving.”

        On May 2, 2012, Turner filed a charge with the Kansas City Human

Relations Department (KCHRD) alleging that KCPS discriminated and retaliated

1
 As part of a collective bargaining agreement with the union, KCPS generally followed a
“Progressive Discipline” policy, which included several steps of discipline: (1) verbal counseling; (2)
“Letter of concern;” (3) “Letter of Reprimand;” (4) “Letter of Final Reprimand;” and (5) termination.
Certain steps could be skipped based on the severity of the conduct involved.

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against her for making complaints.2 KCPS received notice of the discrimination

charge on May 16. On May 24, Principal Edwin Richardson issued Turner a Letter

of Final Reprimand, alleging that Turner had called a student “dangerous” in front

of other students and a parent. The letter stated that it was Turner’s “final

warning” and that if the problems persisted, “termination will be recommended.”

       Turner did not work at Southwest at any time after the final reprimand. She

was assigned to the summer school session for Wheatley Elementary School.

While working at Wheatley, Turner experienced no problems and received no

discipline. Wheatley Principal Bonita Benson praised Turner as “professional,

welcoming, and helpful” and stated that she was “a hard worker and team player.”

       Within this same timeframe, KCPS administrators had discussions about

terminating Turner. On June 13, 2012, Dynasti Hunt, a manager in the KCPS

Human Resources (HR) Department, sent an email to Principal Richardson

suggesting that they postpone a meeting scheduled for that day because “Turner

has filed a pending EEOC claim against the district.” Hunt explained that “before

we complete termination, I would like to run her file through [the legal

department].” The meeting was then postponed to June 28, 2012, at which time

Hunt understood that Turner’s employment was to be terminated. However, the

termination did not occur, and the KCPS administration instead offered Turner “the

option to transfer to another designated school location in lieu of termination, to be

given a final opportunity to improve [her] performance.”

2
 Turner also dually filed the discrimination and retaliation charge with the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Missouri Human Rights Commission (MHRC).

                                                 3
      Turner was assigned to Knotts Elementary School for the 2012-2013 school

year, under the supervision of Principal Yvette Hayes. Before Turner began her

assignment, Hunt informed Principal Hayes of Turner’s problems at Southwest. On

August 24, 2012, Principal Hayes sent an email to Hunt alleging that Turner had

transferred three students into a different class without approval. Hunt responded,

“Quick question. Have you had any other issues with Ms. Turner?” Principal

Hayes then responded that Turner was late to work that day and absent from work

for one day the prior week.

      KCPS issued Turner a termination letter on August 29, 2012. The letter

referenced Turner’s final reprimand letter and stated that “after this letter was

administered, concerns regarding your failure to adhere to [KCPS’s conduct] policy

were raised.” The letter stated that a termination decision was originally made on

June 28, 2012, but Turner was nonetheless granted the transfer that she had

requested “in connection with [her] discrimination charge” against KCPS. The

letter explained that Turner was terminated because of “several concerns”

regarding her work performance at Knotts.

      On May 28, 2013, Turner filed suit under the Missouri Human Rights Act

(MHRA) asserting that KCPS discriminated against her on the basis of age and

terminated her in retaliation for the KCHRD discrimination charge. At trial, the jury

ruled in KCPS’s favor on the age discrimination claim but found KCPS liable for

retaliation. The verdict awarded Turner $50,000 in compensatory damages and

$37,500 in punitive damages. The circuit court subsequently denied KCPS’s

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motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) and entered judgment in

accordance with the jury award. The court also awarded Turner attorney’s fees,

costs, front pay, and ordered that she be reinstated. KCPS appeals.

                                            ANALYSIS

Retaliation Claim

       In Point I, KCPS contends the circuit court erred in denying its motion for

JNOV because Turner failed to present substantial evidence to support her

retaliation claim. To withstand a motion for JNOV, Turner was required to “make a

submissible case by offering substantial evidence to support every fact essential to

a finding of liability.” Hurst v. Kansas City, Missouri Sch. Dist., 437 S.W.3d 327,

336 (Mo. App. 2014) (citation omitted). We view the evidence in the light most

favorable to the verdict, disregarding evidence to the contrary. Id. We will reverse

the jury’s verdict only where we find “a complete absence of probative facts to

support the jury’s conclusion.” Id.

       Under the MHRA, it is an unlawful discriminatory practice to retaliate “in any

manner” against an employee who “has opposed any practice prohibited by this

chapter” or “has filed a complaint . . . pursuant to this chapter.” § 213.070(2),

RSMo.3 To make a submissible case on her retaliation claim, Turner was required

to establish that: (1) KCPS terminated her employment, (2) her discrimination

charge was a contributing factor in the termination, and (3) she sustained damages

as a result of the conduct. Williams v. Trans States Airlines, Inc., 281 S.W.3d
3
 All statutory references are to the Revised Statutes of Missouri 2000, as updated by the 2013
Cumulative Supplement.

                                                5
854, 866 (Mo. App. 2009). KCPS challenges only the second element—whether

Turner’s discrimination charge was a “contributing factor” in her termination. A

contributing factor is a condition “that contributes a share in anything or has a part

in producing the effect.” McBryde v. Ritenour Sch. Dist., 207 S.W.3d 162, 170

(Mo. App. 2006) (citation omitted).

       Cases involving claims of retaliatory motive “are inherently fact-based and

often depend on inferences rather than on direct evidence.” Barekman v. City of

Republic, 232 S.W.3d 675, 682 (Mo. App. 2007) (citation omitted). Thus, Turner

can rely on circumstantial evidence tending to support an inference of retaliatory

motive, such as the proximity in time between Turner’s discrimination charge and

KCPS’s decision to terminate her. Id. KCPS asserts that the “closest temporal

relationship” was between Turner’s May 2 discrimination charge and the May 24

final reprimand. KCPS argues that Hunt—who drafted Turner’s termination letter—

was unaware of the charge until after the reprimand letter had been issued. KCPS

further notes that Turner was not fired until August—almost three months later.

Thus, KCPS argues that because so much time elapsed between the discrimination

charge and the actual firing of Turner, there is no reasonable inference that the

charge was a contributing factor in the termination decision that was made in

August 2012.4

4
  KCPS relies on federal cases which state that an inference of retaliatory motive “vanishes
altogether when the time gap” between the charge and the termination “is measured in months.”
Tyler v. Univ. of Ark. Bd. of Trs., 628 F.3d 980, 986 (8th Cir. 2011). However, federal law is
more stringent in discrimination cases. The temporal proximity in federal cases must be close
enough to give rise to an inference that the protected activity was a “substantial or determining

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        KCPS’s argument ignores probative facts in the record. The relevant

consideration is whether Turner’s discrimination charge contributed to the decision

to fire her. See Hurst, 437 S.W.3d at 340. The evidence established that KCPS

administrators discussed plans to terminate Turner in June 2012 after she had filed

her discrimination charge. HR manager Dynasti Hunt sent Principal Richardson an

email on June 13 stating that she was going to “run [Turner’s] file through [the

legal department]” before completing termination. Thus, KCPS had decided to

terminate Turner less than a month after KCPS received notice of Turner’s

discrimination charge on May 16, 2012.

        Importantly, KCPS had no credible explanation as to why the decision to

terminate Turner in June was made in the first place. The May 24 letter of

reprimand stated that it was Turner’s “final warning” and that if the problems

persisted, “termination will be recommended.” The decision to terminate Turner,

just over two weeks later, was purportedly based on Principal Richardson’s

“additional concerns” that were raised subsequent to the final warning being

issued. However, Principal Richardson stated that he could not recall what those

concerns were. Moreover, Turner did not work at Southwest at any time after May

24. Thus, she could not have engaged in further conduct for which Principal

Richardson might have found grounds for termination. By contrast, the only other

factor” in causing the termination, not that it merely “contributed” to the termination. See
Daugherty v. City of Maryland Heights, 231 S.W.3d 814, 819 (Mo. banc 2007). Moreover, the
cases cited by KCPS suggest that very close temporal proximity is required when the success of
plaintiff’s retaliation claim rests solely on the timing of the decision. See Tyler, 628 F.3d at 986;
Carter v. CSL Plasma Inc., 63 F. Supp. 3d 1034, 1047 (W.D. Mo. 2014).

                                                   7
evidence presented regarding that timeframe was that Turner was receiving praise

for her summer school work at Wheatley and had not received any further

discipline for misconduct. The jury could have reasonably inferred from this

evidence that Turner’s charge of discrimination was a contributing factor in KCPS’s

June 2012 decision to terminate her.

      KCPS emphasizes, however, that the fact that it chose not to move forward

with Turner’s termination in June, and actually transferred her to another school,

proves that her discrimination charge did not contribute to its decision to ultimately

terminate her in August. Again, KCPS ignores the fact that no evidence was

presented to explain why it had any reason—other than Turner’s filing of a

discrimination charge—to “move forward with” Turner’s termination in June.

      Another form of circumstantial evidence that is probative of retaliatory

motive is “[p]roof that the defendant’s [proffered] explanation is unworthy of

credence.” Lomax v. DaimlerChrysler Corp., 243 S.W.3d 474, 483 (Mo. App.

2007) (citation omitted). Thus, the jury could have rejected KCPS’s proffered

reasons for terminating Turner and inferred from that disbelief that KCPS had a

retaliatory motive. Id. KCPS claimed that it had fired Turner because of her poor

performance at Knotts in August 2012. Specifically, KCPS alleged that Turner had

missed work on August 17 and that she was late to work on August 24.

However, Turner produced evidence that Principal Hayes had approved her

timesheets which showed that Turner was actually at work on-time on both of the

days alleged. KCPS also alleged that Turner had transferred three students into a

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different class without Principal Hayes’ authorization. By contrast, Turner testified

that Principal Hayes had retroactively authorized Turner’s actions in transferring the

students. From this conflicting evidence, a reasonable juror could have found that

KCPS’s proffered explanation for terminating Turner was false and inferred

discriminatory purpose on KCPS’s behalf.

      Upon reviewing the record in the light most favorable to Turner, we find

there was sufficient competent evidence to support the jury’s determination that

Turner’s charge of discrimination against KCPS was a contributing factor in KCPS’s

decision to terminate her. Accordingly, the circuit court properly denied the motion

for JNOV. Point I is denied.

Punitive Damages

      In Point II, KCPS contends the circuit court erred in denying its motion for

JNOV because Turner failed to make a submissible case for punitive damages.

“Whether there is sufficient evidence for an award of punitive damages is a

question of law.” Howard v. City of Kansas City, 332 S.W.3d 772, 788 (Mo. banc

2011) (internal quotations omitted). Thus, we determine whether the evidence

presented “was sufficient, as a matter of law, to submit the claim for punitive

damages.” Hurst, 437 S.W.3d at 341. We view the evidence and all reasonable

inferences drawn therefrom in the light most favorable to submissibility. Id. “Only

evidence that tends to support the submission should be considered.” Hoyt v. GE

Capital Mortg. Servs., Inc., 193 S.W.3d 315, 323 (Mo. App. 2006).

                                          9
      “To make a submissible case for punitive damages, there must be clear and

convincing proof of a defendant’s culpable mental state.” Hurst, 437 S.W.3d at

341 (citation omitted). Turner could establish KCPS’s culpable mental state by

showing either that KCPS committed “an intentional wanton, willful, and

outrageous act without justification” or “acted with reckless disregard” to Turner’s

rights. Id. (citation omitted). An act is committed wantonly if the defendant

knows at the time it engages in the wrongful act that the act was, in fact,

wrongful. Id. Turner could also rely on circumstantial evidence to show KCPS’s

intentional discriminatory conduct. Id.

      Our review of the record indicates that most of the evidence supporting

Turner’s claim for retaliation also supports her claim for punitive damages. See

Williams, 281 S.W.3d at 870–71. There was clear evidence that those involved in

the decision to terminate Turner were aware of her discrimination charge prior to

her termination. As noted, the jury could have disbelieved KCPS’s proffered

reasons for terminating Turner in August 2012. Turner produced documentary

proof that she was at work on the days which KCPS alleged she had missed, thus

demonstrating that KCPS had no evidentiary basis for making those allegations.

The jury could have “reasonably [inferred] from the falsity of the explanation that

the employer [was] dissembling to cover up a discriminatory purpose.” Lomax,
243 S.W.3d at 483 (citation omitted).

      There is additional circumstantial evidence in the record to support the jury’s

finding that KCPS’s retaliatory actions were in reckless disregard of Turner’s rights.

                                          10
On April 15, 2012, after Turner had filed a union grievance about her working

conditions, Vice Principal Jordan sent an email to HR describing Turner and another

secretary as “totally dysfunctional” and “total cancers” to KCPS’s environment.

Turner had never received any discipline as a KCPS employee before that email was

sent. Further, KCPS claimed that it made the decision to transfer Turner in lieu of

termination in order to give her a “fresh start.” However, the jury could have

rejected this explanation in light of emails revealing that the administration decided

not to proceed with the planned termination in June 2012 only after consulting

with the legal department about any possible “recourse of action” from firing

Turner.

      Turner introduced evidence showing that KCPS had policies in place that

prohibited retaliation and elicited testimony from management that they knew it

was unlawful to retaliate against an employee for filing a charge of discrimination.

See Ellison v. O’Reilly Auto. Stores, Inc., 463 S.W.3d 426, 435 (Mo. App. 2015)

(upholding punitive damages award when defendant had policy prohibiting

discrimination and management acknowledged at trial that discriminating on the

basis of disability was illegal). When Principal Hayes emailed Hunt regarding

Turner’s alleged unauthorized transfer of students, Hunt responded, “Quick

question. Have you had any other issues with Ms. Turner?” From this response,

the jury could infer that Hunt was searching for pretextual reasons to justify

Turner’s termination.

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       The jury determined that Turner’s discrimination charge was a contributing

factor in KCPS’s decision to terminate her. From that same evidence, the jury

could have reasonably concluded that KCPS intentionally sought to conceal this

contributing factor by alleging Turner’s misconduct at her newly assigned school.

See Lomax, 243 S.W.3d at 483 (noting that “rejection of the defendant’s proffered

reason will permit the trier of fact to infer the ultimate fact of intentional

discrimination”) (citation and emphasis omitted). Viewed in the light most

favorable to submissibility, the evidence supports a finding that KCPS acted with

intentional disregard for Turner’s rights when it fired her because of her complaints

of discrimination and retaliation. Accordingly, Turner made a submissible case for

punitive damages and the circuit court did not err in denying KCPS’s motion for

JNOV. Point II is denied.

Attorney’s Fees on Appeal

      As the prevailing party below, Turner has filed a motion for an award of her

attorney’s fees on appeal pursuant to Section 213.111.2 of the MHRA. Under this

provision, “the court should award attorneys’ fees unless special circumstances

would render such an award unjust.” McCrainey v. Kansas City Mo. Sch. Dist.,

337 S.W.3d 746, 756 (Mo. App. 2011) (citation and internal quotations omitted).

This includes fees incurred on appeal from the circuit court’s judgment. Id.

      In the absence of any showing of special circumstances to render an award

unjust, we grant Turner’s motion for attorney’s fees on appeal. Although appellate

courts have “authority to allow and fix the amount of attorney’s fees on appeal, we

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exercise this power with caution, believing in most cases that the trial court is

better equipped to hear evidence and argument on this issue and determine the

reasonableness of the fee requested.” Id. (citation omitted). Accordingly, we

remand to the trial court to determine the reasonableness of Turner’s attorney’s

fees on appeal and enter an appropriate award. Hurst, 437 S.W.3d at 344.

                                     CONCLUSION

      We affirm the circuit court’s judgment and grant Turner’s motion for

attorney’s fees on appeal. The cause is remanded to the circuit court for further

determination of the attorney’s fees award.

                                               ____________________________________
                                               LISA WHITE HARDWICK, JUDGE

ALL CONCUR.

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