Matthew M. Lentz, former CFO and Acting District Administrator at Upper Moreland School District, filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination on Monday, June 3.

According to the Pennsylvania Record, Lentz claims that he faced discrimination based on his gender, sexual orientation, and disability. A written complaint holds that he was subjected to a “hostile work environment” by superintendent Dr. Susan Elliott, who was hired in July 2022.

The lawsuit alleges that Dr. Elliott made derogatory comments about working in a “man’s world” and undermining Lentz’s authority by excluding him from key meetings and decision-making processes.

According to the complaint, Lentz first reported Elliott’s behavior to Board President April Stainback on November 7, 2022, followed by complaints in January 2023 to both Stainback and UMSD Solicitor Kenneth Roos.

In late March 2023, Lentz filed an internal Title IX complaint citing a hostile work environment due to his gender and sexual orientation.

In August 2023, the district retained Dr. Yi Wang for an independent medical examination of Lentz. Dr. Wang reportedly diagnosed him with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and recommended up to twelve weeks of leave along with accommodations upon return.

According to the Record, the district disputed Dr. Wang’s findings regarding remote work accommodations, after which Lentz “felt compelled to retire on August 25, 2023—a move publicly misrepresented by UMSD as a resignation.”

Lentz seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress and career damage among other losses under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA), the Record said.

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