Schenectady school district settles suit with math teacher for $12,250

PHOTOGRAPHER: Kathleen Moore

The Schenectady school district has settled a lawsuit with one of its math teachers, agreeing to pay her $12,250 in exchange for a confidentiality agreement regarding the settlement.

The school board approved the settlement with Susan Salvo, who teaches seventh-grade and remedial math at King K-8 Magnet School.

Salvo sued the district in 2009 after moving from Oneida Middle School to King. She alleged in her lawsuit that the Oneida principal forced her to walk long distances between two floors despite knee and back injuries that made it difficult for her to walk.

With her back injury, she could not carry more than 20 pounds, so she asked for a wheeled cart at the King school. The cart was later taken away, and she was told to make multiple trips instead, she said. When she then arrived to classrooms late, she was disciplined for tardiness, according to her lawsuit.

School officials responded, in court paperwork, by saying there were no empty classrooms available.

Salvo is now starting her third year at King, where she said she has a classroom.

“This year has been very good so far,” she said. “I am disabled, but I do work. There are multiple injuries — my knees, my back. But I am and continue to plan on being a teacher. I absolutely love my students.”

They understand that she cannot bend over or walk easily.

“I can’t say enough about my students. These students are the best,” she said. “I can do the teaching, but simple things like picking up papers off the floor, I can’t do. My students are absolutely wonderful about being helpful.”

She could not comment on the settlement because of the confidentiality agreement. School officials did not return a call seeking comment.