In a striking legal move, an individual has filed a lawsuit against a local high school and its district, alleging discriminatory hiring practices. The complaint was lodged by Brian Sax on January 29, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, targeting Newbury Park High School and Conejo Valley Unified School District.
The case centers around allegations that the defendants engaged in discriminatory failure to hire based on gender and age, failed to prevent discrimination under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and committed unfair business practices. According to the complaint, Sax claims he was unjustly denied head coaching positions at Newbury Park High School due to his gender and age despite being highly qualified. He accuses Michael Godfrey, the school's Athletic Director, and Ahmad Rasheed, Head Coach of Boys Track and Field, of perpetuating these discriminatory practices. Sax argues that his extensive coaching experience made him the ideal candidate for the roles he applied for but alleges that defamatory statements from parents influenced the hiring decision against him.
Sax's complaint outlines how he was encouraged by colleagues to apply for head coaching positions following successful tenures as an assistant coach. Despite submitting his application before deadlines and being one of only two applicants for one position, Sax claims he faced cold treatment from Rasheed and was eventually overlooked in favor of less experienced candidates with personal connections to those involved in the hiring process. This alleged nepotism is said to have caused significant harm to Sax's career prospects and emotional well-being.
The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court, including general and special damages for lost earnings and emotional distress, punitive damages for intentional misconduct by the defendants, attorneys' fees, costs incurred during litigation, as well as injunctive relief preventing further wrongful business practices by the defendants. Sax also demands disgorgement of revenues associated with what he describes as unfair business practices.
Representing Brian Sax are attorneys Jeffrey M. Cohon and Kristina S. Keller from Garrell Cohon Kennedy LLP. The case is filed under Case No. 2U25SCUOEUS FE34 in front of Ventura Superior Court Judge Hannah Cressy.