Former CCCC employees file suit against trustees

Attorneys representing former Cloud County Community College president Dr. Adrian Douglas and her husband Dr. Bruce Douglas filed a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas on Tuesday against the college board of trustees and trustee Gregory P. Askren in his individual capacity.
Adrian Douglas and Bruce Douglas, in the complaint filed, have each claimed race/skin color discrimination – Title VII and violation of 42 U.S. Code 1981 – equal rights under the law.
During a special meeting on May 8, 2020, the Cloud County Community College board of trustees voted to not renew the contracts of Adrian Douglas as president and Bruce Douglas as coordinator for student engagement.
Adrian Douglas became the eighth president of the college on May 9, 2018. Bruce Douglas was hired as the coordinator for student engagement on January 23, 2019.
On or about July 27, 2021, the Department of Justice issued Dr. Adrian Douglas and Dr. Bruce Douglas a Notice of the Right to Sue.
It is alleged in the complaint that was filed that on May 8, 2020, at the urging of Askren, the college fired the only two black employees at its Concordia campus, even though it had just days earlier evaluated Dr. Adrian Douglas as meeting or exceeding the vast majority of its expectations, and the board — at Askren's insistence — conducted a series of secretive, closed-door meetings, violated college protocol and fired both of the same plaintiffs, one within minutes of the other.
It is also stated in the complaint that several months after the firing of Adrian and Bruce Douglas that Askren posted a lengthy, racist screed on social media that quite clearly explains his motivations vis a vis the plaintiffs and that the post depicts a comprehensive and overtly racist worldview that removes any shred of doubt about why he sabotaged the plaintiffs' leadership at the college.
The complaint of race/skin color discrimination for Adrian Douglas and Bruce Douglas states that they were qualified for their positions and were satisfactorily performing their jobs and the board of trustees decided to not renew their contracts, and terminated their employment effectively immediately, under circumstances giving rise to an inference of discrimination based on race and skin color and the board's contact caused damage to their careers, their reputations and sense of self in a number of ways compensable by Title VII.
Adrian Douglas and Bruce Douglas respectfully request that the court enter judgement in their favor and against the board of trustees and for damages to be proven at trial and such other relief the court deems just and proper in the circumstances.
The complaint also includes claims that the defendants' conduct caused Adrian Douglas and Bruce Douglas damage in a number of ways compensable by 42 U.S. Code 1981 and requests that the court enter judgment in their favor and against the board of trustees and Gregory P. Askren for damages to be proven at trial and for such other relief as the court deems just and proper.
The plaintiffs have demanded a trial by jury and request that the trial be in Kansas City, Kan.
The complaint was filed by Brad K. Thoenen and John J. Ziegelmeyer III with HKM Employment Attorneys LLP in Kansas City, Mo.