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BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
A jury has ruled against a former Palo Alto High School robotics coach who said she was bullied, insulted and undermined because she’s a woman and a lesbian.
The jury sided with the Palo Alto Unified School District on May 12 after a trial that looked back at Kathy Krier’s tumultuous nine-week tenure in fall 2018.
Krier, 63, complained about a group of parent boosters who raised money for the team and encouraged students to complain about her because she was part of a “far-left social justice warrior agenda.” “A woman can’t do this job,” a booster allegedly said at her first meeting. Krier said students destroyed her gay pride flag and resisted her attempts to improve safety and diversity on the team.
“I know the district has a non-discrim-ination policy, but it seems like it was just on paper,” Krier testified on April 9 at the Old Courthouse in San Jose.
District on defense
In the district’s defense, attorney Mark Davis asked witnesses if they were motivated by Krier’s gender or sexual orientation. Parents, students and district leaders testified that they had high hopes for Krier. But she shut down the lab without notice or expla-nation, threatening the team’s efforts to have a successful season.
Student Lawrence Chang said Krier saw herself as a rule enforcer, immediately banning super glue and food in the lab.
Krier said power saws needed kill switches and wouldn’t let students use extension cords, the day before 65 recruits were coming in to the lab.
Stressed out students
Students were stressed because they felt like they needed to put in hundreds of hours to be competitive, Chang said.
By mid-September, Krier was yelling at students and making new rules every day, Chang said.
“It felt sadistic in a way,” he said.
Students complained to former Principal Adam Paulson, signed a petition and spoke out at a board meeting on Oct. 9, 2018. Krier was escorted out of her classroom two days later.
Didn’t need to resign
Former Deputy Superintendent Karen Hendricks said Krier was placed on leave so the district could investigate complaints by students that she yelled, used threatening language, unloaded personal information and didn’t explain changes to the program.
“There were some themes that were appearing in the complaints,” Hendricks testified on April 15.
Krier was understandably upset about going on leave, but she didn’t have to quit teaching computer science, Hendricks said. Krier’s mental health was an issue in the trial, which was held from April 8 to 17 with Judge William Monahan at the Old Courthouse in San Jose.
Dr. James Armontrout said Krier’s time at Paly contributed to a suicide attempt and a lack of motivation.
Davis pointed out that Krier has PTSD from being in New York City on 9/11, had 18 different jobs between 2002 and 2013 and spent over $700 a month on cannabis.
What she wanted
Krier wanted the district to pay her at least $1.1 million. She said she had to give up a tenured position and a rent-controlled apartment to move from Berkeley to Palo Alto, and she can’t find a new job.
Armontrout said resolving the case will likely be helpful for Krier’s mental health, no matter what the outcome is.
District spokeswoman Lynette White wished Krier well and said she’s pleased with the jury’s decision, “which affirms PAUSD’s longstanding commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and equitable workplace for all employees.”
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