A former special education teacher at York High School is suing the school department, accusing the district of discriminating against her for being gay.

Figueira worked at York High School from 2018 to August of 2021. Following the 2020 to 2021 school year, the school department decided not to renew Michele Figueira’s contract.

According to the Portland Press Herald, Figueira filed a civil complaint in United States District Court in Portland on Monday.

As she claims that York High School subjected her to a hostile work environment. Additionally, Figueira said that her supervisor, Joelle Coleman, made a series of “degrading and humiliating remarks about her sexuality.”

District Attorney Jeana McCormick said in a statement that the school department denies any discrimination or of retaliation that could have occurred. McCormick wrote in an email that the “York School Department prohibits discrimination and is committed to providing a supportive and non-discriminatory workplace for all of its employees.”