Ex-superintendent of Alsea schools created toxic work environment, lawsuit claims

A lawsuit claims the Alsea School District enabled its former superintendent to create a hostile work environment with gender discrimination, sexual harassment and general misogyny.

The lawsuit alleges Marc Thielman, who resigned as superintendent in February after several complaints were filed against him, “engaged in sexual harassment on a regular, sustained and ongoing basis” throughout Shannon Rice’s employment with the rural, western Oregon school district, the Albany Democrat-Herald reported.

Rice, the principal of Alsea Elementary School, filed the lawsuit against the school district in Benton County Circuit Court last week. The lawsuit does not name Thielman as a defendant. District officials could not be reached for comment.