Lawsuit alleges Mount Vernon school official fired after raising safety concerns

Christina West: District is aware of lawsuit but cannot comment.

The longtime director of maintenance for the Mount Vernon R-V School District filed a civil lawsuit alleging his former employer retaliated after he repeatedly pointed out safety hazards in an agriculture classroom and shop space.

In a Feb. 24 suit filed in Lawrence County Circuit Court, Roger Brown said he was wrongfully terminated after 15 years in the position. He cited state statute showing whistleblowers are protected against disciplinary action.

“We’re asserting a claim for violation of the statute,” said attorney Tim Ricker of Hall Ansley PC. Ricker, who is representing Brown in the lawsuit, declined to provide additional detail, adding he will wait for the case to move forward.

In court papers, Brown said he reported fire code violations and dangerous conditions in the ag shop area starting in early 2023 and continued through late 2025. His concerns included:

• Open-flame heaters were being used in a room where sawdust and wood flour were present, creating an ignition and fire hazard.

• Dust collection vents were not properly cleaned and maintained.

• Exposed chemicals and rags were located near flammable equipment.

In the eight-page petition, Brown said he repeatedly raised concerns with the administration, but no action was taken to remediate the hazards. He said the concerns were shared with the former and current superintendent. Christina West moved into the role for the 2025-26 year.

In response to a request for comment, West sent an email stating: “The district is aware of the lawsuit that has been filed by a former employee. The district cannot comment on pending litigation.”

The district has not yet filed a response, according to Missouri online court records, and no attorney is listed.The lawsuit states Brown, seeking to remedy the alleged hazards, requested a free inspection from Jameson Heating and Air LLC in March 2025 and then forwarded the administration a report from the company indicating the presence of serious dangers in the ag classroom and shop area.

Brown admitted that months later, he contacted the city building inspector, city administrator and mayor months later to request an inspection of the space.

In court papers, Brown’s attorney said city officials completed an inspection, documented issues and noted that if the concerns were not corrected the building might be closed.

Brown alleged in the lawsuit that West chastised him for contacting the city “behind her back” and complained that fixing the issues would cost money.

According to the lawsuit, Brown said he was summoned to a Nov. 24, 2025 meeting with West and assistant superintendent Garrett Prevo and told he was fired – effective Dec. 31, 2025 – for misconduct, disobeying directives and missing work.

Brown questioned the decision, noting he had not been written up during his 15-year employment. West produced a written reprimand from August 2025 in that meeting, which Brown said he had not signed or been previously provided.

In court papers, Brown said the district also accused him of not bringing up safety concerns, but alleged documentation exists to refute that allegation.

Brown stated, in the lawsuit, that after learning of his termination, he was escorted to his office, where he discovered all emails and documents had been wiped off his computer. He said he was told to leave district property and not return.

The lawsuit states the district offered Brown a settlement in December 2025 and January 2026, but signing it would have restricted his ability to seek unemployment, run for the Board of Education or talk about the district and superintendent.

In court papers, Brown said he viewed the proposal, which he declined to sign, as an attempt to “buy his silence” about safety hazards. The lawsuit requested a jury trial. Brown is seeking a sum of at least $25,000 for distress and lost income.