Ex-superintendent claims he was fired for hosting a Christian book fair: lawsuit

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – A former Spotsylvania County superintendent is suing the school board and several of its members after he was fired for alleged hiring violations and after he held an unsanctioned “conservative Christian” book fair.

Former Superintendent Mark Brian Taylor filed the lawsuit against the Spotsylvania County School Board and members Dr. Lorita Daniels, Nicole Cole, Belen Rodas, Dr. Carol Medawar and Megan Jackson.

The lawsuit alleges that the board and its members violated Taylor’s employment contract and his First Amendment rights.

Taylor was hired as Spotsylvania County superintendent in November 2022. He was placed on administrative leave on January 22, 2024 and later fired on March 19, 2024.

In the lawsuit, Taylor alleges that the board violated the terms of his contract by failing to make him aware of the alleged issues with his job performance in a “timely manner” and by defending himself against allegations that he was unqualified for the position be.

“The board never elected to impose discipline on Mr. Taylor during his employment with the board,” the lawsuit says. “Despite its obligations under the contract, the board never made the superintendent ‘promptly’ aware of any concerns related to the superintendent’s performance.”

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The lawsuit also states that “the contract provided for the superintendent’s qualifications: ‘The superintendent will provide evidence to the board during the term of the contract that the superintendent is legally qualified to serve as superintendent in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.’ and the regulations of the State Board of Education.’”

Taylor also claims that the reason for his firing was a conservative Christian book fair held at Riverbend High School in December 2023.

Attorney Tommy Strelka argues that Taylor acted like a private citizen “at all times” and that he used personal funds to finance the event, which was a collaboration with him SkyTree Book Fairs, Brave books and evangelical Christian author Kirk Cameron.

The lawsuit states that Taylor “took all necessary steps to organize and conduct the book fair on school grounds as a member of the public and followed the board’s procedures and rules.”

Taylor argues that the book fair was an expression of his First Amendment rights and that the school board’s “retaliation” was a violation of those rights.

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“Spotsylvania Public Schools terminated Mark Taylor in violation of clearly established constitutional law. The school board has taken a position that violates Mr. Taylor’s First Amendment rights. “My law firm has extensive experience litigating and winning First Amendment retaliation cases, and Mr. Taylor is the latest victim of common sense politics in America,” attorney Strelka said in a statement to FOX 5.

But documents that Taylor’s attorney included in the lawsuit detail the school board’s reasons for terminating Taylor’s employment. The book fair is not cited as the cause.

“Mr. Taylor is believed to have violated state law and school division policies as employment actions include the hiring of multiple unlicensed and unqualified employees in violation of state law and school division policies. Other violations include failure to provide oversight and assessments as required by state law and school division policy,” said a memo from Malik Drake, the school board’s attorney.

“Mr. Taylor may have violated both school division policies and Virginia law regarding the disposal and inventory of school property on multiple occasions.

“Mr. Taylor may have repeatedly violated the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and school division policies regarding FOIA, the requirement to communicate with the school board, and the filing of required reports and assessments in accordance with state law and school division policies.

“Mr. Taylor has made numerous documented offensive and inappropriate social media posts on various social media platforms, which the Board believes may call into question his ability to serve as a principal in any school system in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Taylor and his attorney have requested a jury trial in the matter.