(CN) – Bad press led a Connecticut school board to rescind its offer of a superintendent position to a highly touted Chicago administrator, he claims in court.
Though the complaint Terrence Carter filed in New London Superior Court on Nov. 25 does not say what was reported about him, the Hartford Courant notes that the New London Board of Education vote 6-0 against awarding Carter an employment contract this past August amid revelations about Carter’s own schooling.
According to the Courant, the board’s attorneys confirmed that Carter had used “Ph.D.” and “Dr.” with his name for at least five years despite not having a doctorate from an accredited college.
The attorneys also reportedly corroborated the New London Day’s findings that large portions of Carter’s job application were identical to language in articles published on the Internet.
Carter now claims that his job offer was rescinded after he had already resigned his position in the Chicago Public School System, put his Chicago real estate on the market for sale, relocated to New London with his partner, put his personal property in storage, and contracted and purchased real estate in New London.
The New London Board of Education was two days away from its schedule meeting to approve Carter’s contract when chairperson Margaret Curtin told Carter “that there was a negative newspaper article being published, but that she would handle the issues with her fellow board members,” according to the complaint.
Carter says Curtin told him that he did not need to attend the meeting where the board would be deciding his compensation. She then allegedly informed the other members of the board that Carter was unavailable to answer questions.
“As a result of the actions previously plead in this complaint, the defendant breached its agreement with the Plaintiff, Terrence Cater, to his economic loss,” the complaint states.
Carter wants the court to find that the board improperly rescinded the offer, an award of damages. The breach-of-contract complaint also accuses Curtin of interference.
Carter is represented by William McCoy of Heller, Heller, and McCoy in Uncasville.