Grande v. Hartford Board of Education et al | Advancing DEI Initiative

Home About Cases Methodology Resources In the Media

GLOSSARY

The definitions in our glossary are primarily sourced from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary and Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute. We have made slight modifications where needed for brevity and to better tailor the definitions to the specific needs of users of this website. For more detailed explanations of the terms, users are encouraged to review the definitions on these websites or conduct their own independent research.

A written request made after a trial court’s final ruling, asking another court to review the trial court's decisions. Appellate courts typically decide whether a legal mistake was made and whether the mistake changed the outcome of the case.

An out-of-court procedure for resolving disputes in which one or more people, “arbitrator(s),” hear evidence and make a decision. It's like a trial in some ways, but typically proceeds more quickly and with less formality.

A lawsuit in which a large number of people with similar legal claims join together (the class) to sue. In this context, it likely refers to cases in which a group of people claim they have suffered discrimination at the hands of an organization.

A document filed in court that starts a lawsuit. In some states and in some types of legal actions, the complaint is called a petition.

the money awarded to one party because of an injury or loss caused by another party.

The person or entity against whom a civil case is filed.

A court order requiring a person to do or stop doing a specific action.

Harm done to a person or organization by the acts or omissions of another. Injury may be physical or may involve damage to reputation, loss of a legal right, or breach of a contract.

An appeal that occurs before the trial court's final ruling on an entire case.

Any party to a lawsuit. This might include a plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, cross-complainant, or cross-defendant, but not a witness or attorney.

The process of bringing and pursuing (litigating) a lawsuit.

A formal request, either written or oral, that a judge enter a particular order or ruling in a lawsuit.

A motion asking the judge to throw out one or more claims or an entire lawsuit.

These phrases refer to a case whose decision rests upon the law as it applied to the particular evidence and facts presented. This is in opposition to cases whose decisions rest upon procedural grounds (e.g. not filing a timely complaint).

The person, corporation, or other legal entity that initiates a lawsuit seeking damages, enforcement of a contract, or a court determination of rights. In certain states and for some types of lawsuits, the term petitioner is used instead.

Any legal document filed in a lawsuit, including the complaint, answer, and motion(s). The pleading stage gives notice to both parties of the intention of the opposing party regarding the lawsuit.

An opinion of a federal or state court of appeals establishing a legal principle or rule that must be followed by lower courts when faced with similar legal issues.

A court order early in a lawsuit that prohibits the parties from taking a disputed action until the court can decide the merits of the case.

A document that public companies must provide their shareholders prior to a shareholder meeting. The document summarizes proposals submitted to shareholders for a vote.

Punishment of an employee by an employer for engaging in legally protected activity like making a complaint of harassment or participating in workplace investigations. It can include any negative job action, such as demotion, discipline, or firing.

A person's right to sue and have a court rule on their claims. To invoke a federal court's jurisdiction and have the court exercise its remedial powers on their behalf, a person must have standing.

A final decision by a judge, upon a party's motion, that resolves a lawsuit before there is a trial.

CASE NAME

Grande v. Hartford Board of Education et al

Overview

Grande, a teacher, sued the school board claiming that he was unfairly disciplined because he spoke out against a board presentation on white privilege and against the Board’s use of resources to advance “critical race theory.”

Details

The Board argues that all employment decisions were based on legitimate, nondiscriminatory, and reasonable business reasons.

On February 5, 2025, the Board filed for summary judgment, arguing that they should win the case as a matter of law, without going to trial. To prove that the school board retaliated against him for exercising his right to free speech, Grande needed to show that his speech was protected by the First Amendment. The Board contends that Grande's comments were not protected because they were not made "as a private citizen on a matter of public concern" but were personal grievances about the District's training, expressed as part of his duties as a teacher. The Board also claims it had a legitimate reason to limit this speech and that Grande’s claim that the Board forced him to support critical race theory is incorrect. The Board maintains that everyone at the presentation was told they were not required to speak.

On March 5, 2025, Grande opposed the Board's motion for summary judgment. Grande argued that the motion was improper because there were facts in dispute and that the facts he put forward were sufficient to prove his First Amendment claims. Specifically, Grande asserts that the evidence submitted establishes that he "spoke as a citizen on a matter of public concern" and in response to his speech, which criticized the training, Defendant disciplined him and forced him to not speak on the topic due to his differing viewpoint.

Court

U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut

Status

Filed January 03, 2024 | Ongoing

Relevant Law

First Amendment

Topic

Freedom of speech and religion