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Sex-related harassment complaint filed against Eastside Union School District in Lancaster

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LANCASTER – A former vice principal and a onetime teacher for a Lancaster middle school are suing the district where they formerly worked, alleging they were forced to quit because their school principal viewed female employees as “objects of sexual desire and sex-based ridicule.”

Dawn Dolinski and Jody Finks filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against the Eastside Union School District and Francisco Pinto, principal of Gifford Cole Middle School.

The suit alleges hostile work environment, retaliation, sex discrimination and negligent hiring, supervision and retention. The suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

A district representative could not be immediately reached. Pinto was previously fired from another school district after a sex-related harassment complaint was filed against him, the suit states.

Dolinski, 42, of Phelan, was hired by the district in June 2015 as a special education teacher at Cole School and was promoted to vice principal for the 2016-17 school year, the suit states. Finks, 52, of Palmdale, obtained her teaching job at the same campus in August 2009, according to the lawsuit.

Dolinski worked in the school’s administrative offices alongside Pinto, the suit states.

“Soon after Ms. Dolinski began working for Principal Pinto, she became aware that (he) held a deep-seeded animus and harmful sexist views toward the female teachers and staff at Cole Middle School,” according to the lawsuit. “In particular, (he) viewed female teachers and staff as objects of sexual desire and sex-based ridicule.”

Pinto expected the female staff members to “act in a submissive manner and be subservient to me,” according to the complaint.

Dolinski was “bombarded with misogynistic comments and behavior” by Pinto during her time as vice principal, the suit states. Once after smelling a co-worker cooking fish, Pinto said the odor “must be coming from Ms. Dolinski’s genitals,” the suit states.

Pinto regularly called Dolinski “Double D,” a dual reference to her initials and to the bra size of a woman, the suit states.

While discussing a teacher’s breasts and decision not to wear a bra, Pinto and another administrator commented,  “that’s how she got her husband,” the suit states.

Dolinski tried but failed using moderate language to try and convince Pinto to change his behavior, the complaint states. She subsequently became more direct, but Pinto “doubled down on his offensive remarks,” the suit states.

“Deal with it or resign,” Pinto told Dolinski, the complaint alleges.

Pinto also stripped Dolinski of some of her duties and assigned her less desirable tasks, the suit states. Despite a Cole School tradition, he told her she could not be on stage to shake hands with students during a pupil promotion ceremony and instead directed her to supervise the courtyard, the suit states.

In an allegedly retaliatory action against Finks, Pinto canceled the school’s Student Government True Leader Program because she objected to his “sexist views of the submissive female,” the suit states.

Pinto also cut the school’s California Cadet Corps course, waiting until orientation day and knowing that Finks spent much of the previous summer preparing for the program, the suit states.

Pinto’s decision to end the cadet program on orientation day was “a clear attempt to retaliate against her and break her will,” according to the lawsuit.

Both women suffered emotional distress from working under Pinto, the suit states. Dolinski, who relocated from Phoenix to take the Cole job, quit in June and Finks in July, the suit states.

The suit identifies two other teachers, Kristin Cole and Joyce Pincetich, as also allegedly targeted by Pinto for resisting him. During the 2015-16 school year, 15 of 17 grievances filed in the district were against Pinto, putting the district on notice of his alleged misconduct, the suit states.

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56 comments for "Sex-related harassment complaint filed against Eastside Union School District in Lancaster"

  1. This man is having an affair with one of my coworkers. I saw them yesterday Monday, plus she has a big mouth. He should get fired already. Hello, everyone know your Hummer.

    • Sad to know that there are women willing to break up a marriage and not care about it. Ultimately its his fault, he doesn’t care about his marriage why would she?

      He is an educator who needs to be look at based on what I’m reading on this article.

    • dirty people, end one relationship before you start another one. unless of course both are married then they will never have a normal relationship. they are doomed!

  2. I worked for that corrupt, e , unprofessional child abusing/ soldering/ victimizing / sexing / pathetic , egotistical fraudsters for eight ( all in heart and soul emotionally draining 12+ hour days ) years. The absolute WORST principle I’ve ever had the displeasure to work for ….Ms. Michelle Bowers , VP and military style punisher and filthy spy rat /child hater Mr. Smith, and their #1 diverson / fraudster / habitual lier / expert , ” HUMAN RESOURCE ” dick licker David Howard ,. numerous lazy, clueless , totally disconnected who were perfect no talk/ tell ass kissing robots several rude loud mouthed shit starting , lunch/ playground .onitor / crosswalker/ setter upper, and a few snotty , make life difficult , no- help office witches AND THE TOPPER , a pretty much unanimus bought and side pocketed school board WHO EITHER IGNORED ANY / ALL PROBLEMS ( not just concerning curriculum, l budget or , event planning ) BUT VERY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING URGENT ISSUES such as assault ( including sexual), verbal badgering and abuse, theft ( during assault ), weapon ( of any and all kinds ie, books, metal, fists, shoes, rocks, whatever was available and in close proximity to victim which was either another( respectful/ good ) student or a teacher that they would cuss out and assault ….WITH VERY LAX IF ANY PUNISHMENT OR CONSEQUWNSES AT ALL. MORE TYPICAL TRIP TO PRI NCIPLE WOULD USUALLY CONSIST OF A PAT ON THE BACK AND LAUGH / REWARD for their part/ job causing chaos / disruption / victim in trouble / teacher discredited/ spirit destroyed ….I MEAN IT WAS BRUTAL on OUR GOOD KIDS. One week there was three kidnapping gs, two sexual assaults, like six robberies at gunpoint!! ON STUDENTS WALKING HOME FROM SCHOOL as we were for idden to give even neighbors or family friends / children safe rides home without threat of being fired. Which after some time freaking out at board council meetings wanting enablers / TORTURE providers fired, I was set up gotten rid of before the criminal racketeering agenda was discovered / stopped. Even the explixit sex instruction and how to have it numerous ways video at secret assembly wasn’t criticised even when room full of very angry parents came to board meeting wanting them fired. But no…..freedom of speech, gender, religion FOR THEM TO PUSH ON YOUR CHILDREN. The it’s all right to be gay lectures/ v ideos/ instructions/ persuasions. So continued to ruin countless more innocent lives and Bowers even becoming SUPERINTENDANT of LSD also running a special education foundation for physically mentally handicapped whose numbers grew at alarming rate ( DayStar foundation ) and where no doubt fed funding , donations, draining fa.ily accounts/ trusts to provide ” care”. Had many lawsuits against them. Also teen family plan ing pregnancy counseling/ med pro edures available as well…next ..owned morgue! Really? Yeah really. And believe me I could go on and on and think I will add my fact / knowledge to this ( grown women harrassment.only, no mention of concern for xhildren case.. RIGHT??? But hey what else is new. Rex I went up in front of you and your ” council” many times about these sickening and deplorable crimes against hildren/ and I’d go as far as charging you ALL with TREASON / CRIMES AGAINST YOUR OWN COUNTRY/ PEOPLE/ HUMANITY because between that, harboring / contracting out) employing known CRIMINALS ( proof in tapestry commission, prop 47, public safety, human resources, usinesses like Topco, KB homes, drug / sex trafficking from all the practicing cultures of filth who’d sell / abuse their own and other children for a hit of crack or lustful predator sex. And then act all concerned after finding out and e idence FOR ONE….ONE child ( Gabrielle) ONLY BE AUSE GOT CAUGHT AND HAD TO SQUASH OUTRAGE REAL QUICK SO NO MORE INVESTIGATIO S. WELL LET ME TELL YOU ALL YOU SELFISH, GREEDY, FAKE FUCKERS. There are HUNDREDS EVEN THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT HILDRENS PAIN, SUFFERING , TRAUMA AND BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS because YOU DID NOTHING TO STOP IT FROM HAPPENING AND EVEN CONTINUED TO DIG THE CESSPOOL OF FILTH DEEPER AND DEEPER ALLOWING FOR THE BRUTAL abuse of elderly, youth, our beloved companions and pets, REAL heroes and separation of parents with children and those they love, homes, jobs, EVERYTHING MEANINGFUL AND BEAUTIDYL. So either continue to laugh it up or STOP this MADNESS , ask forgiveness AND DIE MAKING IT RIGHT

    • WOW! That was hard to read. Grammar, spelling and incomplete sentences along with vulgar name calling is hardly a way to get the public to listen and understand this [removed] you wrote.

  3. Yes, we all have heard horrible things going on at these two schools and Enterprise for awhile now. You are a witness.

    I know Mr. Pinto from Columbia. Great leader. Always respectful and fair. Took cared of the unprofessional. I have nothing bad to say about him. Good luck to the people suing the district.

  4. I used to work at EASTSIDE UNION SCHOOL at both TIERRA BONITA and EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY school. I could tell you some stories that happened to me that would curl your hair. All I’ll say is there was a Supervisor of the Maintenance and operations staff that treated “ all females as his PLAY GROUND”. I don’t know much about Mr. Pinto but I do know that if you complain about a supervisor the powers that Be will say they will look into it but trust me they don’t. Good luck to the teachers that are filling the suite. Your going to need all the luck you can get. Especially when Mr. David Howard won’t do anything.

  5. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands one Nation under God,
    indivisible,
    “”with liberty and justice for all.””

    • Yes, with liberty and just for all.

      The injustices around this place continue. Let those who truly are fault come forward. If you did it, if you said it, come forward. Save the innocents….

      I work at this school. I worked with you. He is innocent, a few of ‘you’ are not.

      ColeEntrepriseEastside………………………….

    • It is more fun to pledge allegiance to the World. The one place where all can live, in peace and harmony, if they could all just come down off their high horses.

  6. Lets pray for the families of all parties involved!

    It is horrible what its been said about them. All these rumors of an affair with a teacher and a car accident, an affair with a principal, and now these alleged accusations about sexual misconduct?!!

    Imagined what the families, wife and husbands, must be going through? Allow the truth to come out. There is a lesson to be learn and I am sure all parties involved will learn from this.

  7. Poor families of all parties involved. Can you imagined what the wife and family must be going through? All these rumors of an affair with a teacher, an affair with a principal, and now these alleged accusations of sexual misconduct at work and at other places?!!

    Lets pray for all, and the families to get the courage they need. Lets pray for justice and for the truth to come out.

    • Pedophiles and other sexual predators that are running private schools. Too numerous to mention but can be easily researched. What’s your part in all of this, Shane Falco? It’s always the ones that spend their time talking about how righteous they are, that are always the most unrighteous.

      • I’m not pontificating on any type of righteousness on my part. I am a fallible human being just like anybody else but my failings have never been of the criminal felonious type.

        My parents knew my teachers and went to every parent teacher conference. We knew the principal and the limited administrators of the school. There wasn’t bureaucracy or red tape or tenure or unions protecting bad employees. The school that I went to never had an issue with any sexual impropriety with the staff or the students.
        The same can also be said for the schools of my kids went to.

        We are fiercely protective of our kids and between social promotion of failing students, teachers who are just there for a paycheck and benefits, watered down education, and lack of any morality taught or embraced in public schools, we are glad we had the choice to do better for kids.

        It seems the administrators and teachers in this public school district are engaged in a lot of stupid shenanigans that are not tolerated in a private school.

        • You are clueless, Foolco. Do you live under a rock?

          Dateline, November 7, 2017 – New York Times Op Ed – In 2012, the truth came out. My school — Horace Mann — had tolerated sexual molestation for decades.

          Dateline, July 20, 2016 – Elite Private School Accused Of Shielding Sex Abuser – New court filings accuse Viewpoint School in Calabasas, California, of shielding a problem teacher who taught at other elite schools before pleading guilty to sex abuse last year.

          Dateline, April 19, 2017 – The 127-page report released Tuesday spans misconduct at the Emma Willard School in Troy from the late 1950s through the 2015-16 academic year, including instances of rape, sexual assault and harassment, as well as the “grooming” of young women for affairs.

          Dateline, October 4,2017 – Marlborough School has reached a settlement agreement with Chelsea Burkett, 33, who was impregnated by an English teacher when she was a student there.

          You are completely clueless.

        • LOL…that’s the most hilarious denial of reality I’ve seen in a while.

          “I’m not pontificating on any type of righteousness on my part, but let me spend three more paragraphs telling you how righteous I am.” Take it back home, where the rest of the self righteous prigs will honor the “don’t call me on mine and I won’t call you on yours” agreement…here it just gets you laughed at.

        • Shane Falco

          I don’t know you yet I’ve joined in with nasty comments directed at you. I don’t recall you ever replying in kind.

          I apologize and it won’t happen again.

          Truth is, I’ve had very negative feelings about the Antelope Valley back in the 90s with foreclosures, gang activity, graffiti, etc. It seemed much worse then. I thought I’d like to move to Vermont or someplace back then.

          But, I stuck it out and I like living here now. There are problems most places even Beverly Hills. I live in a good neighborhood with great neighbors. I had some over for Thanksgiving and am going to their house for Christmas Dinner. I’ve moved around California a lot and never had those kind of relations with my neighbors. And, I’m in Palmdale. Who’d a thunk it.

          William

    • LOL…like private school administrators treat their staff with any respect. Every teacher at the private school where I used to sub was on the “as soon as I get my credential I am OUTTA HERE” program.

      Meanwhile, since Foolco is a demonstration of what comes out of private schools, I’d pass on them.

  9. Peeps… c’mon!!!
    I think that anyone with the level of intelligence most of you display on your comments should know…
    1. Everybody is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.
    2. Defamation of character is a crime.
    3. Counter suits are a legal way to deal with liars and crooks
    4. Objectivity is a word that many ignore but that all should learn and exercise.

    It’s really easy to take sides and talk crap about someone whose greatest sin is being of a different race than those accusing him. Ask yourselves the following question…and be honest for about 5 seconds…
    Aren’t you way too quick to judge Mr. Pinto based on rumors started by two individuals whose race happen to be your favorite race?
    Could it be…maybe, that part of your anger is based on envy from your part because Mr. Pinto has been able to achieve what many of you have not? A professional career?
    Think about it…don’t lie to yourselves…be honest.
    Your anger did not start when you heard about the rumors…but when you realized the sad life that you might have. Don’t blame others for your failures…embrace it and do something about it. Instead of wasting your time posting garbage here on a daily basis…go to school, improve your skills, be productive, matter. Don’t waste your lives judging others based on others’ opinions. Be a man..be a woman, be whatever you want to be , but be truthful and stop posting crap.
    If you have a personal problem with anyone…go straight to them and let them know about it, maybe you will find peace of mind that way.
    Peace…peeps…Be happy.

    • Well said Law Abiding Citizen!!!!
      Now, let the investigations continue.
      And let those who really said and did those awful things come forward and admit guilt.

      The truth will come out…

    • Innocent until proven guilty. What a concept. The backbone of the American legal system, but a concept totally ignored by R. Rex Parris, DUI Drew Mercy, and Austun Bishop in their attacks on Ledford.

      • Justice for all; due process for all. Even for the people we don’t like. (Impartial), is a powerful word, in which we all have trouble with, until it applies to us.

        • Rex certainly has tried and convicted several people in his twisted mind. Never forget Raymond Lee Jennings, Randy Floyd, Esmeralda Jorge, and Johnathan Ervin. They were all accused by Rex and none of what he claimed was true.

          It’s a pattern with him. Smear. Accuse. Slander.

          He is a character assassin and gets away with it because of his money and control over people.

          • Yet he keeps getting voted in as Mayor (4th term). Around 14% of the people voted on election day! WOW, for someone so hated (rightly so), you would think people would show up to make a change for the better. He only controls the people because they sit back and allow it to happen. Out of over 150,000 people, only 14% show up to vote. Nothing gets done by just complaining.

        • You are right, justice for all.

          The innocent will get justice and all the others at fault, will regret their wrongdoings. From the top administrators to principals to teachers. Be ready. Our board members will see the truth.

          wrongdoing#principals#teachers#go-down

  10. … look what we’ve become. The United States of Weirdos, Creeps, Headcases, Perverts & Pedophiles, the more success they’ve achieved and the more we’ve paid them, the greater their sense of self-entitlement, to every little thing, and every little one –

  11. Slam Dunk? It may be bitter people writing these replies. There are many teachers who support Mr. Pinto, and other teachers that do not support Mr. Pinto. I have never met a principal that did not have split support from his/her teaching staff. Will this be covered by the news media afters the results of this suit have been disclosed? Take a deep breath and wait for the results. Meanwhile, stay professional for the sake of the students.

    Academic achievement or failure results do not belong solely to the schools.

    • This is about Mr. Pinto, and his pattern of behavior. He was fired from his last position for the same predatory behavior. It is beyond my comprehension how an educator can be hired again to continue creating a toxic environment for women. How anyone can support this behavior (especially women) is troubling to say the least.

    • I agree with you. People should wait for the results but ignorant people think they know. The truth will come out and those crazy liars should be very afraid because defamation of character is against the law.

      According to rumors and this are just rumors we hear around the district. One of them crazies has a crazy past. Her husband left her, she’s on depression pills for years, and her own family member who by the way is a principal at the same district (conflict of interest, nepotism, favoritism)..

      Hiring administrators without credentials…

      So you see, we all have heard rumors. Should we believe them all?!!!! Wait for the results…

    • It may well be bitter people writing the replies, but the two points I cited in calling the case a slam dunk came from the article itself. Even then I did say “if these are true.” But I stand by my statement. If it is true that Pinto was dismissed for similar cause at his previous job, and that there were fifteen grievances filed against him out of seventeen filed in the district, then this case is an absolute slam dunk no matter how many teachers support him. If counsel for the district is telling them anything other than “settle as best you can” then they better be prepared to disprove one or both of those claims.

  12. This has been going on for many years and no one believed it. The Superintendent Mr. Villa according to rumors was related to Pinto and that is how Pinto got the principal job at Columbia Elementary School regardless of his past record at Piute Middle School. Francisco Pinto thought he was untouchable because of the power they gave him. There are still many people in this district that need to be fired. Christa at Tierra Bonita, David Howard from District Office and these Board Members that kept quiet and knew everything that was going on. Throughout all this many good people were let go because of this disgusting man Francisco Pinto thanks to the support of the Superintendent, H.R. and Board Members. These people need to be investigated asap and removed from their positions including the Board Members. Finally it is EXPOSED!!! Let this be a lesson for others that support this type of behavior.

    • Sadly Dr. Villa is being dragged into this mess. But I guess that’s what it takes to keep rumors and lies alive right?!

      Investigate all of them. Promiscuous behavior from principals at Enterprise, Tierra Bonita, and Eastside Elementary.

      Drunks during happy hour, relations with coworkers, inappropriate behavior in bathrooms, hiring people with no degrees, car accidents, sexists attitudes, teachers hitting kids, racism against kids … Are these rumors true ? Who knows, but one thing is for sure…

      Our district administrators and our board members will make the right decision when all of this is over.

  13. The teachers’ union definitely spoke up and filed numerous grievances. So many comments seem to be off target blaming secretaries and other principals. The school board failed to do their job. The superintendent left in a hurry…

  15. They should also investigate the other three female principals. Especially the one having relations on school property with her subordinate who is married. District office officials know this. How about investigating female principals and they’re doings in district office bathrooms. Nasty. Focus on the women. You will find a lot of [removed] misconduct.

    • have you filed a formal complaint/grievance? did you file a lawsuit? This suit isnt about these other rumors. Start your own attacks on your own, not on someone elses lawsuit

      • It’s not just pinto it’s the whole district. There is more truth to this and hopefully it will be revealed. The district needs to clean up this mess and get rid of people.

        • Yes, the truth will set you free, I agree.

          The truth will be revealed.

          Get rid of those who are truly guilty. Relationships between coworkers during work hours and after hours is improper and unethical. If I would tell the stories and things I see and hear during work and from after work gatherings, your flesh would crawl. Human Resources also attends after work hour gatherings and its just not helping the situation.

          I love EUSD, but I just go to work, teach students, and go home to my family. Maybe you should all do that. Stay away from drama.

      • this is only about Pinto says,

        Whoa, you took this one personally :) Are these rumors about you? Shoe fits huh? It must be about you since you posted many times, don’t get so angry!

        Racial injustice#lies#bad behavior#power abuse#dirty people#its about everyone doing the wrong thing#

  16. Don’t focus on false accusations. Low scores, sucky teachers. Not administrators fault. All lies. Focus on the other female principals and what they’re doing in district office bathrooms. Especially certain principal and her involvement with a coworker on school property district office knows…? Google it….

    • have you filed a formal complaint/grievance? did you file a lawsuit? This suit isnt about these other rumors. Start your own attacks on your own, not on someone elses lawsuit

  17. This practice has been going on for some time. Several years ago Mr. Pinto did not deny that he was being vindictive toward a couple of other female teachers, but Eastside Union School District denied their grievance. On October 4th, EUSD denied the claims of both Ms Finks and Ms Dolinski. This is a School in which only 5% met the Math standard and Only 24% met the Language Arts standard on the 2017 CAASP test.

    • Chuck, district office officials cover for each other and that’s BS. Check out the other principals especially that woman Christa. Now, that’s the real problem and on school property?!! She has problems.Yes, sadly this practice has been going on for awhile. Cover up for admistration and teachers hurting kids has been a long practice…

      • have you filed a formal complaint/grievance? did you file a lawsuit? This suit isnt about these other rumors. Start your own attacks on your own, not on someone elses lawsuit.

  18. This is bull s** , They need to start investigations at the top of the chain of command starting from Mr. Howard for covering Mr. Pinto and his affair with the teacher he left behind at the scene of car accident, All the way down to the secretary Stephany. They know everything

    • LaTulla, you are right. Start investigating from the top. Hiring people because they’re friends. Administration going to happy hour to discuss ‘confidential’ crap about employees. Principals going into district office bathrooms to act inappropriately. What the heck is that?!?!?! Human Resources need to get involved and start investigating now… And yes, Stephany is just out there to benefit her.. not us teachers!!!!

  19. This has been going on for a long time and has been allowed to continue. The Administrators have not been accountable for their abuse of power. Employees who complain are threatened with being written up for insubordination. This principal has questioned why he couldn’t be vindictive if he chose to do so. These two teachers appealed to the Eastside Union School District School Board, But their assertions were denied at the October 4th School Board Meeting.

  20. There is too much of these sexist attitudes in AV businesses and school districts. This was explicit enough harassment, but too often it is behind close doors. Lancaster school district isn’t the only district with these kinds of problems.

  21. A previous dismissal for cause and 15 of 17 complaints naming the same guy? If those two points are true this case is a slam dunk. Eastside School District may as well have just sent these plaintiffs a blank check.

  22. Well it’s about time this man finally got his day. He has harassed employees at Columbia Elementary since day 1 and had the employees written up, transferred or fired. A lot of people lost their jobs because of this man and I am one of the spouses of one employee that lost her/his job. It took a while for this day to come but it finally came. I hope the Board Members will listen to the parents and staff of Eastside Union School District. There are more employees that I am aware of that are close to Francisco Pinto but not as bad as him. These other employees should also be fired for sexual harassment and being discriminatory to employees.