A Florida principal has sued the school district where she worked after it refused to rehire her because of her ‘alcohol addiction.’

Dr. Mary Williams is seeking damages of $30,000, claiming the Seminole County school board discriminated against her ‘based on a handicap or disability,’ the lawsuit obtained by Daily Mail shows.

Williams, who held the top job at Hagerty High School, was named Seminole’s principal of the year in 2018, according to the Orlando Sentinel

She had worked for the school district for more than 36 years, serving as principal for 13 of them ‘until she was notified that her contract would not be renewed’ in 2019, the lawsuit reads.

Former Hagerty High School principal Mary Williams has sued the Seminole County school district

Former Hagerty High School principal Mary Williams has sued the Seminole County school district

Former Hagerty High School principal Mary Williams has sued the Seminole County school district

The lawsuit claims that Williams ‘had good performance evaluations and was never subject to disciplinary action.’

‘In December of 2018, Dr. Williams had discussions with School Board administrators about her alcohol dependency problem,’ the lawsuit reads.

Williams ‘discussed her alcohol addiction openly’ with the school district’s superintendent and human resources director.

She later attended a substance abuse facility in Umatilla, Florida where she was treated for her ‘substance abuse’ from February 12-18, 2019.

Williams has filed a lawsuit in a Florida federal court claiming School Board administrators 'discriminated' against her for 'alcohol dependency'

Williams has filed a lawsuit in a Florida federal court claiming School Board administrators 'discriminated' against her for 'alcohol dependency'

Williams has filed a lawsuit in a Florida federal court claiming School Board administrators ‘discriminated’ against her for ‘alcohol dependency’

‘Dr. Williams opened up to [Human Resources Director Boyd] Karns and trusted him as a friend,’ the lawsuit reads. ‘She provided Karns with confidential information about her medical condition.’

After completion of the program, Williams returned to work and attended a meeting with other school leaders – but was directed to leave by school officials and was placed on administrative leave the next day, according to the lawsuit.

Williams ‘was never tested to see if any drugs or alcohol was present in her blood’ but was told that in order to return to work she would have to meet with a psychiatrist chosen by the school board to determine her fitness to return to work.

Williams is seeking $30,000 in damages

Williams is seeking $30,000 in damages

Williams is seeking $30,000 in damages

The psychiatrist, Dr. Naomi Jones, reportedly said she was unable to determine whether Williams was fit for duty, according to the document.

School officials determined that Williams would need to complete a specific treatment program with Jones – which the lawsuit alleges was contrary to treatment she was already receiving from her own doctors.

Jones’ treatment plan ‘insisted that Dr. Williams sign a contract stating that she would be given monthly injections of Vivitrol for one year,’ according to the document.

Williams’ doctors, however, did not believe that the injections would be necessary and ‘all opposed the Vivitrol injections for her treatment.’

Vivitrol, also known as naltrexone, is a an injection used to treat dependency on alcohol and opioids. 

The principal was later taken off administrative leave and put on medical leave, before being notified just days later on April 8, 2019 that her contract would not be renewed.

‘Dr. Williams’ emotional distress includes but is not limited to severe depression and anxiety, significant weight loss, upset stomach, misery and hopelessness,’ according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also claims that the school district failed to abide by the federal Family Medical Leave Act.

The high school’s student newspaper reported on April 29, just a few weeks later, that a new principal had been named.

Robert Frasca was ‘selected from a field of candidates aiming to fill the vacancy left by former principal Dr. Mary Williams,’ according to the student newspaper. 

Williams is represented by Alfred Truesdell of Truesdell law. The lawsuit, first filed in September in Seminole Circuit Court, was moved earlier in January to Florida’s Middle District federal court at the school district’s request.

WHAT IS ALCOHOLISM?

Alcoholism is the most severe form of alcohol abuse and involves the inability to manage drinking habits.

It is organised into three categories: mild, moderate and severe. Each category has various symptoms and can cause harmful side effects.

If left untreated, any type of alcohol abuse can spiral out of control. 

Individuals struggling with alcoholism often feel as though they cannot function normally without alcohol.

This can lead to a wide range of issues and impact professional goals, personal matters, relationships and overall health.

Sometimes the warning signs of alcohol abuse are very noticeable. Other times, they can take longer to surface. 

When alcohol addiction is discovered in its early stages, the chance for a successful recovery increases significantly.

Common signs of alcoholism include:

  • Being unable to control alcohol consumption
  • Craving alcohol when you’re not drinking
  • Putting alcohol above personal responsibilities
  • Feeling the need to keep drinking more
  • Spending a substantial amount of money on alcohol
  • Behaving differently after drinking

Short-term effects of alcohol abuse can be just as dangerous as long-term effects. 

For instance, drinking can impact your reaction time, causing you to have slow reflexes and coordination.

That’s why drinking and driving is extremely dangerous. Getting behind the wheel of a car can alter your perception of speed and distance, putting yourself and others at risk.

Several short-term effects of alcohol abuse may produce:

  • Slow reaction time
  • Poor reflexes
  • Reduce brain activity
  • Lowered inhibitions
  • Blurry vision
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Restlessness

Additionally, consuming too much alcohol can affect your long-term health. Some side effects may lay dormant for years before they surface.

Because of this, professional medical care is required for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Long-term health conditions caused by alcohol:

  • Brain defects 
  • Liver disease
  • Diabetes complications
  • Heart problems
  • Increased risk of cancer
  • Vision damage
  • Bone loss 

Treatment for Alcoholism 

There are different forms of treatment available based on frequency and severity of alcohol abuse. 

Recovering from alcohol addiction is a process that continues long after rehab. 

It takes commitment to practice and apply the techniques you learn in rehab, counseling, support groups and other types of therapy.

Although every individual will have their own recovery plan that’s tailored to their specific needs, treatment generally follows a structure.

Alcohol treatment is broken into three sections, consisting of:

Detoxification

The first stage in alcohol addiction recovery is detoxification. This phase should be completed with the help of medical professionals due to the potential for serious, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Many times, individuals are given a medication to help alleviate the painful side effects of a withdrawal.

Rehabilitation

There are two types of rehabilitation that help treat alcoholism: inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab. Inpatient rehabs are intensive treatment programs that require you to check into a facility for a certain period of time, usually 30, 60 or 90 days. Outpatient rehab allows individuals to participate in a recovery program while continuing with their daily life. Talk with your doctor about treatment options to determine which form of recovery will best fit your needs.

Maintenance

The recovery process doesn’t end with the completion of rehab. Long-term sobriety requires ongoing therapy and may entail support groups, counseling and other recovery resources. These will make sure you maintain sobriety and continue on a happy, healthy path for months and years to come.

Source: Alcohol Rehab Guide

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