Thompson

BACKGROUND

Thompson’s Employment with IUSD and His Action Challenging His Termination In July 2011, when IUSD hired plaintiff Thompson as its Chief Operating Officer, IUSD was a struggling school district on the verge of insolvency. In September 2012, approved legislation placed IUSD under a state receivership, requiring the Superintendent of Public Instruction (Superintendent) to “assume all legal rights, duties, and powers of the governing board” of IUSD and to appoint a state administrator to act on the Superintendent’s behalf. (Sen. Bill No. 533 (2011-2012 Reg. Sess.) § 3.) On or about October 3, 2012, the Superintendent appointed Kent Taylor to the position of State Administrator. One week later, IUSD hired defendant Kirk-Carter as its Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. In November 2012, Taylor terminated Thompson’s employment with IUSD. Taylor resigned as State Administrator on or about December 4, 2012, and the Superintendent immediately appointed Kirk-Carter to the position of Interim State Administrator. In February 2013, Thompson filed an action against IUSD, Taylor, Kirk-Carter and other defendants, challenging his termination. (Thompson v. Inglewood…