PORTLAND -- A Washington County jury awarded almost $1 million to a special education teacher who lost his job at the Northwest Regional Education Service District.
Michael Wright, who taught blind students, lost his job in 2010 after school officials said his teaching license had expired and he failed to renew it before the start of school year.
Wright's lawsuit claimed the district fired him in retaliation for his advocacy. He had accused the district of failing to spend a $3 million fund set aside by the legislature to provide equipment and services to blind students.
Wright's attorney, Jason Kafoury, released a statement Thursday saying the jury delivered a "great victory" to blind students, public employees and whistleblowers.
A lawyer for the ESD said the district might appeal.
