A new report details the findings of an investigation of a former Lee County School District superintendent, who is under investigation after claims of making derogatory comments and subjecting employees to racial profiling.
The Lee County School District commissioned an outside law firm to investigate former school Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier and provide a report after two allegations were made against him.
The first complaint was anonymous and emailed to district board members on April 1, 2024.
Bernier was accused of making derogatory comments against District Chief Operating Officer Larry Stephens and two women employees.
The second complaint was submitted by Stephens through a whistleblower hotline service on April 4, 2024. On the same day, he also rescinded his resigniation letter that was submitted three days prior on April 1.
The report claims Bernier subjected Stephens to bullying, racial profiling, and other unprofessional behavior since Oct. or Nov. 2023.
Stephens claimed his resignation was made under duress and based upon several factors such as racial aggression, unyielding abuse, and/or condescending behavior by Bernier.
The report states there are numerous allegations and details within the complaints against Bernier.
On April 10, a third-party investigation was launched by the school district into the complaints.
The scope of the investigation was to determine whether Bernier coerced Stephens resignation and if he made derogatory comments regarding women employees.
At the district's request, the investigation was furthered to include recent findings on why Bernier's employment ended on April 9, 2024.
The report states that this investigation does not include any allegations that Bernier engaged in any unethical business practices or whether Stephens was performing his duties to the district's expectations.
The investigation uncovered emails, texts, and medical documentation from other employees, about concerns related to Bernier.
According to Stephens, he began reporting directly to Bernier in July 2023.
He claims Bernier gave him tasks without adequate time to complete them, leaving Stephens feeling like his potential for success was "sabotaged". Stephens said that Bernier degraded him in front of other employees.
The report also cites claims that Bernier displayed "a great deal of anger and used profane language against Stephens..." and others, and told Stephens, "It was not working out and that Dr. Bernier was not going to renew Stephen's employment," although he had not received any written discipline or a performance evaluation indicating poor performance.
Allegations were also made that Bernier called a female employee derogatory names and "made references to her as an 'obedient dog.'
Throughout the report, it is highlighted that Bernier is accused of creating a hostile environment, he exhibited a "foul temper and would embarrass staff and employees in public meetings."
Bernier is also accused within the reports of treating Stephens "less favorably than white employees." The report says, "he believes. Bernier exhibited facial bias against him."
On April 4, 2024, the district told Berier that an investigation would be launched into the complaints against him.
Bernier called the district to discuss his desire to resign from the district effective April 9, 2024.
Documents state that Bernier has made statements to some district employees suggesting he was "pressured" or "forced" into resigning.
Stephens is not the only person who "expressed dissatisfaction with how Dr. Bernier has spoken to or treated employees," it added.
The 19-page report details Bernier's interactions with employees personally and as witnesses.
The investigation concluded that "evidence substantiates that Dr. Bernier often spoke to Stephens using profanity and in ways witnesses described as 'dehumanizing, insulting loud and disrespectful.'"
However, it stated that evidence did not support that race was a factor in how Bernier treated Stephens, but it did support that Bernier "used language to suggest he harbors a bias against women." Although, the specific allegation that he "used vulgar language regarding" two women was not proven.
The reports say that evidence indicated Bernier was growing dissatisfied with Stephens's performance. According to the reports, Bernier directed Stephens to resign instead of "terminating him or waiting to non-renew his contract"
The findings also conclude that Bernier "was neither asked nor pressured to resign from the district."
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