White secretary at Pittsburgh Public Schools sues district, alleging racial discrimination

A secretary employed by Pittsburgh Public Schools is suing the district in federal court contending she’s been discriminated against for the last 12 years because she’s white.

Kristen Frankovich says she’s been discriminated against because of her race in every position she’s held since 2007, when she started with the district, according to a federal civil rights lawsuit filed Wednesday.

Pittsburgh Public Schools solicitor Ira Weiss said the district doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

Frankovich alleges she has been consistently passed over for raises, promotions and other opportunities for advancement because of her race, according to the lawsuit filed by the law offices of Joel Sansone.

She has repeatedly asked for a raise, most recently in November 2018, and has been denied, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit called Pittsburgh Public Schools’ conduct “part of a plan, pattern or practice of discrimination” that may also affect other district employees.

Frankovich has also filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission about the district’s actions, according to the lawsuit.

She is seeking unspecified damages, back pay and benefits as awarded by a jury.

This is the second federal lawsuit filed this week by a Pittsburgh-area school district employee who is white alleging racial discrimination.

On Monday, Woodland Hills School District was sued by teacher Charles Kost because Kost was twice passed over for an assistant principal’s job in favor of black candidates who had less experience and fewer credentials.