A former teacher in Emporia who had his contract terminated earlier this year is now suing the district.
Adam Moore filed his lawsuit in federal court Wednesday. The 10-page lawsuit indicates Moore’s dismissal was rooted in a series of incidents starting in February 2023. Moore says he tried to help a debate student gain passing status in several classes as part of a lengthy meeting after class one evening, although the student was ultimately dropped from most of his classes and no longer qualified for the debate team shortly after that meeting. Moore says the student also made a Title IX complaint alleging inappropriate touching, lewd and sexual jokes as a part of an interaction that month. Moore says those accusations are false.
Moore says he met with Emporia High Principal Dathan Fischer and USD 253 Human Resources Director Jared Giffin in March 2023, learning he was being placed on administrative leave after concerns about conduct. That step preceded a second Title IX complaint by another student for alleged misconduct dating to September 2022. Moore says that second complaint ended “in his favor” when the student said he never wanted an investigation.
Moore’s contract was initially terminated during a board meeting in January, with a no-contact directive and no access to district property without permission and supervision. Moore appealed. In March, USD 253 board members unanimously found “substantial and competent evidence to support the findings and conclusions” leading to the board’s initial decision in January and appeal decision to terminate Moore’s contract in February. The district also said there was good cause to terminate, although it declined comment at all times during the process earlier this year — including the good cause as mentioned and the reasons behind Moore’s appeal. Moore also declined comment throughout that process, but the lawsuit alleges he did not have opportunities to speak with anybody at the district for his side of the story.
Moore is a homosexual and says this is a case of sex discrimination. His lawsuit against USD 253 is seeking back pay, including wage increases and reimbursements for a range of benefits. He is also asking for front pay, or compensation when reinstatement is not an option, as well as financial offsets for pain and suffering, mental anguish, punitive damages, reasonable attorney fees and other items. The specific damages amount is not listed but is meant to exceed $75,000.
Court proceedings will take place in Kansas City, Kansas. The date for the next hearing has not posted to the federal Public Access to Court Electronics Records website.
Moore was Emporia High’s debate and forensics coach since 2021 and a National Speech and Debate Association Diamond Award winner for teaching excellence and longevity in 2022.
