Attorney prevailed on summary judgment on behalf of a School District and several of its administrators and board members

Attorney prevailed on summary judgment on behalf of a School District and several of its administrators and board members.  Plaintiff, a former High School teacher, brought suit under 42 U.S.C. 1981 and 1983 alleging she was subjected to discriminatory treatment because of her race, which she claimed adversely affected the terms and conditions of her employment.  Plaintiff voluntarily resigned from her employment with the District, however, and upon her resignation she signed a separation agreement and general release, which included a release of all federal employment discrimination claims against the District and its representatives. The judge conducted a full evidentiary hearing to consider whether plaintiff signed the agreement knowingly and voluntarily and heard testimony from plaintiff, several District administrators and plaintiff's former union representative.  Following the hearing, and in applying the factors set forth in Cirillo v. Arco Chem. Co., 862 F. 2d 448 (3d. Cir. 1988), the Court concluded that under the totality of circumstances, plaintiff's execution of the agreement was knowing and voluntary and that the release therefore was enforceable.