CRANBERRY TWP — A former special education teacher accused Seneca Valley School District of creating a “sexually hostile work environment” and retaliating against her for reporting discrimination to state and federal agencies tasked with enforcing civil rights in the workplace.

Stephanie Carney, a kindergarten through grade four life skills teacher for Seneca Valley from 2019 through 2021, sued the district in federal court Dec. 29, alleging the district perpetuated the hostile work environment, discriminated against her based on sex and disability and took steps to retaliate against and fire her based on Carney's reports to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

Seneca Valley spokeswoman Linda Andreassi said the district will fight the lawsuit.

“This lawsuit was filed by an individual who is no longer employed by the Seneca Valley School District,” Andreassi said. “We strongly believe these claims are unfounded and will vigorously contest them in court.”

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