Mary C. Gray v. Union County Intermediate Education District, a Political Subdivision

The appellant, Mary Gray, is a special education teacher who was employed on a year to year contract basis by the Union County Intermediate Education District (I.E.D.). I.E.D. is a separate entity with its own budget, staff and Board of Directors, but it does not operate any schools. Its teachers work in schools of other school districts, providing special services — such as speech therapy, special education, learning resource centers, and others. Mrs. Gray initiated this lawsuit against I.E.D., its acting Superintendent and the members of its Board of Directors, alleging a violation of her due process and first amendment rights in connection with the nonrenewal of her teaching contract.

During the spring of 1970, the appellant became involved in an effort to assist a student who had become pregnant; Mrs. Gray advised the girl that she had a right to a therapeutic abortion. Subsequently, the girl was made a ward of the State Welfare Department and the Department decided an abortion was not advisable. Mrs. Gray insisted that the girl be dealt with in a manner other than as the Welfare Department had determined was best, thereby creating a problem in the relationship of…