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The head of the Florida Methodist Church said local church leaders violated the church’s principals when they ended the employment of two teachers after finding out they were gay.
In April, 9 Investigates first reported on the termination of pre-K teacher Jaclyn Pfeiffer at the Aloma Methodist Early Childhood Learning Center.
Pfeiffer and her partner Kelly Bardier both worked at the school; Jaclyn was a full-time teacher and Kelly was a substitute.
According to Pfeiffer, rumors of her sexual orientation began to circulate after her girlfriend took a job in another part of the school as a substitute teacher. She said the two kept their relationship private, but one day the director of the school called her in to her office to confront her about the relationship.
Pfeiffer said a few days after the conversation with the school’s director, she was told to come by the school and pick up her things. At about the same time, a letter from the school’s director went out to parents explaining only that, “Due to personal reasons,” Pfeiffer would not be teaching at Aloma anymore.
After talking to 9 Investigates, Pfeiffer and Bardier met with Orlando attorney Mary Meeks. On Friday, Meeks confirmed to Eyewitness News that a settlement agreement had been reached between the school and the teachers.
As part of the agreement, the women will receive a positive letter of recommendation, a meeting with Florida Methodist Bishop Ken Carter and as much as a $30,000 settlement.
After the meeting, Carter will be sending a letter to all Methodist churches across the state reminding them of the church’s policy of inclusion.
In a letter obtained by Eyewitness News from the superintendent of the Florida Conference to the school, Annette Pendergrass writes, “I understand that you decisions regarding Ms. Pfeiffer and Ms. Bardier were based on your longstanding views and biblical understandings.
"However, The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2012, paragraph 161.F states that, 'All persons, regardless of age, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured.'”
The letter to the school continues, “To the extent that Aloma UMC took action against Ms. Pfeiffer and Ms. Bardier based on their sexual orientation, such actions were improper.”
As part of the settlement agreement, Aloma Methodist leadership will be meeting with the group parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays as well as with a group called Reconciling Ministries.
Aloma Methodist Early Childhood Learning Center provides VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) and in its most recent inspection by the Florida Department of Children and Families has the capacity for 99 children. However, only 70 were present at the inspection carried out in April of 2014. The State of Florida pays for VPK with a base student allotment of $2,442 for the school year (Orange County) and $2,080 for the summer for each child enrolled in a VPK school.
9 Investigates attempted to contact Aloma Methodist on two separate occasions, but nobody from the church or school ever responded.
