Navajo education official challenges firing

Thursday, September 6, 2007  

The Navajo Nation's first education superintendent is challenging his firing.

Tommy Lewis Jr was removed by the Navajo Nation Board of Education in late July after a little over a year on the job. Board members said Lewis failed to take action to improve the tribe's education system.

But Lewis claims his firing violated traditional Navajo law, which requires discussion before any decisions are made. He said traditions trump Navajo employment law, which treated Lewis as an at-will employee who could be fired at any time.

The tribe's Head Start director resigned recently, citing the firing of Lewis as one of the reasons.

Get the Story:
Ex-Navajo Superintendent Challenges His Firing (AP 9/6)

Relevant Links:
Department of Dine Education - http://www.dineeducation.navajo.org

Navajo Head Start director explains resignation (9/5)
Navajo Nation moves forward with education overhaul
Navajo Nation education director resigns post (07/20)
Navajo Nation seeks more control over education (11/15)
Navajo Nation moves to take control of schools (09/06)