Two former teachers at Kanye West’s Donda Academy are suing the school, alleging labor violations along with restrictive and unusual school rules for teachers and students.
Among other allegations, the lawsuit alleges that the children were only allowed to eat sushi, that the school had no cleaning service, and that West did not allow teachers or students to wear jewelry. Teachers also allege that the school did not meet Department of Education requirements, did not follow state regulations, and that teachers were not required to undergo basic life support certification or mandatory reporting training. increase.
The lawsuit was filed on Thursday by third grade teacher Cecilia Haley and fifth grade teacher Chekalee Byers, who worked at Donda Academy from January to March 2023. to them, according to a lawsuit alleging violations of state labor laws. They believe they were fired in retaliation for complaining to school administrators.
Both teachers complained of health and safety violations, including the lack of a disciplinary system. He claims to have called the person “aggressive.”
Haley and Byers were the only black teachers at the school, according to the lawsuit. “I’m tired of the rhetoric that talented black women are seen as aggressive,” Hailey said in a press release.
Lawyers for Donda Academy and West did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News’ request for comment.
Byers alleges in the lawsuit that she never received her first paycheck and that her and Haley’s salaries often fall short of $1,800 to $2,700 per pay period.
“Kanye West is clearly as bad at running the school as he is at managing his own personal and professional life, and has a dangerous and illegal school environment for students that discriminates against plaintiffs on the basis of race. ,” plaintiffs’ attorney Ron Zambrano said in a press release. “These egregious transgressions at Donda Academy are just another example of West’s anomalous behavior, which our clients, regardless of his celebrity status, will not tolerate.” ‘s genius is in making music, not in running a school.”
west, legally changed his name to Ye 2021, First Donda Academy to open in 2022 Currently serving as CEO, Secretary and CFO.donda academy unauthorized A private Christian school for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
The lawsuit also alleges a number of rigid and unusual rules at the academy.No crossword puzzles or coloring books were allowed, the lawsuit alleges. It is said that West had no classes upstairs because he was afraid of stairs. Students were not allowed to use forks, and all cups and bowls had to be grey.No color or artwork was allowed in the classroom, and students were required to wear head-to-toe black waistcoats. Design apparel had to be worn. Brands such as Nike and Adidas were banned, according to the lawsuit.
West also did not allow chairs to be used at school, the lawsuit alleges, and children had to sit or stand on foam cushions while teachers had to stand or use stools. Students had to eat their lunch on the floor because there was not, and the break room was indoors because students were not allowed to go outside.
Byers said in a news release, “Very sad about all of this. I’m a huge Kanye fan. His first album was the first album I ever bought. I don’t mean to deny the talent of, but while his vision for a school sounds great on paper, it’s nothing more than pure chaos and rebellion.
