La Academia Faces Federal Lawsuits from Former Director
A former athletic director claims he was fired after reporting an assault on his son at the Lancaster charter school.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Secondary Education
Former athletic director Jerry Johnson filed two federal lawsuits against La Academia Partnership Charter School in Lancaster. Johnson alleges he was wrongfully terminated following his attempts to secure justice for a racially motivated assault on his son at the school.
Why it matters
The legal action highlights internal instability at the 200-student school, which has seen several leadership departures this year. For families, the case raises questions about school safety protocols and administrative accountability in Lancaster charter programs.
Johnson, who spent seven years at the school, filed an 11-page and a 14-page complaint in federal court. The school claims termination was due to a lack of teaching certification, though Pennsylvania law does not mandate such certification for athletic directors.
The players
La Academia Partnership Charter School
A Lancaster-based charter school serving 200 students that is currently facing federal litigation regarding employment practices.
Jerry Johnson
A former athletic director who worked at the school for seven years before his termination.
Aidalis Lopez
The current Director of Operations at the school who is named in the federal complaints.
Mark Simms
The former CEO of the charter school whose resignation occurred in March 2026.
The details
Johnson alleges that after his son was stabbed with a pen by a student using a racial slur, he reported the incident and faced subsequent retaliation. He claims the school placed him on a performance improvement plan from May to July 2026, then revoked the necessary materials, preventing him from completing the requirements. The school maintains that the firing was based on his failure to enroll in a sports management certification program.
Timeline
Early March 2026: The student allegedly assaulted JJ.
Late March 2026: Former CEO Mark Simms ended his leadership.
April 2026: School board President Chris Boyd resigned.
May to July 2026: Johnson served on a performance improvement plan.
October 13, 2026: The two federal lawsuits were filed.
The Home Front
This dispute highlights the complex governance environment within local charter schools. It underscores the importance for families to review administrative policies and safety reporting procedures within their chosen educational institutions.
Families with students at local charter schools should verify that they have access to current handbooks regarding safety reporting and grievance procedures. If you have concerns about school operations, ensure you document all correspondence and reports submitted to administration.
The takeaway
This case emphasizes the necessity of maintaining clear, documented communication with school leadership during conflicts. Families may consider reviewing their school's public board minutes to stay informed about staff and leadership turnover in their district.
Further reading
Learn more about local school governance and student safety on the Secondary Education page.
