Steven Rodriguez, 69, is suing the Paterson Public School District, alleging age discrimination and a hostile work environment pushed him to give notice of retirement as Roberto Clemente Elementary principal, effective Oct. 1, 2026.
The suit, filed last week in Passaic County Superior Court, says the district began scrutinizing Rodriguez during 2024–25, after he turned 67, removed his vice principal and harassed him over accrued sick leave. It alleges the moves aimed to push him out for a less experienced, lower-paid administrator. In spring 2025, after Rodriguez reported that a PE teacher had hit a student, the district reprimanded him over how he reported it, according to the suit; it was his first reprimand in 26 years.
After transferring Rodriguez to Roberto Clemente for 2025–26, the district again removed his vice principal, the suit says. Rodriguez later took extended sick leave amid severe anxiety and stress, according to the filing; he alleges he would have worked at least three more years absent the district’s actions. The suit seeks punitive damages, legal costs and interest, and requests a jury trial. The superintendent, deputy superintendent and Rodriguez’s attorney did not respond to NJ.com’s requests for comment.
