Ex-Norwin director, wife sue over alleged retaliation

A former Norwin School Board president and his wife sued the school district, the Westmoreland County Republican Committee and a school board member alleging civil rights violations.

The controversy stems in part from a string of social media posts school board member Robert Wayman made in August 2020 on the politically conservative Facebook account “Silent Majority 15642.” The account’s name refers to Irwin’s ZIP code.

According to the complaint, Wayman’s comments included: “Gold Star of David coming to the mask wearers sooner than they realize”; “Democrats have done more to damage our homeland than the Imperial Japanese and the German Democrats combined. Just say no”; “(President Trump) needs 8 more years … If need be we can have an armed combat to make sure it happens”; and statements referring to former state Health Secretary Rachel Levine, a transgender woman, as “it.”

Brian Carlton, 42, of North Huntingdon, who served on the school board from 2017-21, issued statements in his role as board president condemning the comments and called for Wayman to resign. Wayman then threatened recourse against any board member who voted to take action against him, the complaint said.

Motions calling for Wayman’s resignation, to censure him and to remove him as liaison to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association failed.

In his lawsuit, Carlton said he received a letter from the Westmoreland County Republican Committee in April 2021 informing him that he was prohibited from contacting the group or attending its meetings or he could face criminal action, the complaint states. Carlton did not win the endorsement of the Norwin Republican committee in his reelection bid.

Carlton alleges in the lawsuit that Wayman initiated the letter from the committee, on which Wayman serves as treasurer.

The seven-count lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh claims that Carlton was the victim of retaliation by Wayman. Margaret “Maggie” Carlton, who teaches sixth grade at Norwin’s Hillcrest Intermediate School, also is a plaintiff in the suit.

In separate counts, the Carltons claim they were libeled by the county Republican committee, the school district and Wayman. Both also claim Wayman intentionally inflicted emotional distress on them.

The Carltons are seeking damages against all three defendants and punitive damages against Wayman.

Wayman, who remains on the school board, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Elizabeth Tuttle, an attorney representing the Carltons, said the school district is named in the lawsuit because Wayman’s position as a school board member and policymaker would implicate the district for liability purposes.

Neither Bill Bretz, chairman of the county Republican Committee, nor its solicitor, John Hauser, could be reached for comment.

Brian Carlton, a special education teacher in Penn-Trafford School District, declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Norwin Superintendent Jeff Taylor said in a statement that the school district has not had the opportunity to review the lawsuit with solicitor Russell Lucas and declined to comment.

The lawsuit also alleges that in February a letter from “Concerned Citizens of Penn Trafford School District” claimed that Carlton “spreads lies and slander(s) people” because he was upset he lost reelection to the board in November.

The letter accused Carlton of “unprofessional and possibly illegal behavior.”

Carlton denies the allegations.

The lawsuit alleges that Wayman sent the letter in retaliation.