Paterson Board Settles Discrimination Lawsuit for $100,000
The district agreed to resolve a dispute with a longtime educator regarding promotion practices.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Administration
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The Paterson Board of Education has agreed to a $100,000 settlement to resolve a discrimination lawsuit filed by a long-serving local vice principal. Petula Harden-Brown, a 56-year-old educator at Joseph A. Taub School, alleged she was denied a principal position due to her age, race, and gender.
Why it matters
This settlement concludes a legal challenge regarding hiring equity in the district. It highlights the ongoing scrutiny of administrative promotion processes as the school board balances its leadership demographics.
The school board authorized the $100,000 payment to settle the claims of the educator, who has served in 10 Paterson schools over 22 years. The district currently employs 11 female principals, nine of whom are older than 50.
The players
Paterson Board of Education
The local governing body responsible for setting school policy, managing district budgets, and overseeing personnel decisions for Paterson public schools.
Petula Harden-Brown
A 56-year-old vice principal at Joseph A. Taub School who has served the Paterson district for 22 years.
The details
Harden-Brown alleged that she was overlooked for a principal role at the Alexander Hamilton Academy in 2024, despite her extensive tenure. While district officials asserted in sworn statements that she failed to apply during the official 10-day posting period, the board voted to settle the matter. The Alexander Hamilton Academy itself was subsequently dismantled in 2026.
Timeline
2007: Harden-Brown was denied her first sought principal position.
2024: Harden-Brown sought the principal role at Alexander Hamilton Academy.
2026: The Alexander Hamilton Academy was dismantled.
Monday, Oct. 19, 2026: The Board of Education voted to resolve the lawsuit.
The Home Front
This settlement reflects broader efforts to ensure local school districts adhere to federal hiring standards under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Families may notice how these shifts in administrative staffing and board-level legal priorities impact school leadership stability.
Parents with children in the district may want to monitor upcoming board meeting minutes to see if hiring or recruitment processes for school leadership are updated. Keeping an eye on these public records can provide insight into how local leadership changes might affect your school's administration.
The takeaway
This case highlights the importance of documented hiring procedures for district employees. Local families should stay informed by reviewing the official minutes of the Paterson Board of Education regarding future staffing initiatives.
Further reading
For more on how local educational staffing impacts your family, see our Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by North Jersey.
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