A former Nogales High School softball coach is suing the Rowland Unified School District, alleging his firing that occurred two weeks after he suffered a mild stroke in 2024 was done in retaliation for his medical condition and his request for accommodations.
Robert Fraijo’s Pomona Superior Court lawsuit alleges disability discrimination, failure to provide reasonable accommodation, failure to engage in the interactive process and retaliation. Fraijo seeks unspecified damages.
An RUSD representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the suit brought Feb. 11
Fraijo had been Nogales High’s softball coach since the 2012-2013 school year. His additional duties included hiring other coaches and overseeing their work.
“Plaintiff had a very successful record as the softball coach both in terms of wins and losses and the respect of his players and the school community,” the suit states.
Last April, Fraijo felt dizzy while on the way to practice and drove to the hospital, but before he got there a Nogales High vice principal called Fraijo, reprimanding him for taking himself to the hospital rather than calling an ambulance, the suit states.
Fraijo was diagnosed with a mild stroke and was hospitalized for five days, according to the suit, which further states that upon release he was given at-home therapy that included use of a walker.
However, Fraijo was terminated two weeks after suffering his stroke and told that the RUSD “needed to hire someone else as a softball coach” without inquiring of the plaintiff whether he could still do the job or offer him accommodations, the suit alleges.
“Plaintiff’s termination caused immediate and ongoing harm, including the loss of his long-held coaching position and the professional opportunities associated with it,” according to the suit, which further states that Fraijo has suffered economic losses and emotional distress.
They will get away with whatever they can. I was terminated after I injured my back some years ago.
My daughter and I were substitute teachers at RUSD and we received Zero $ from Covid funds. We were at RUSD for a combined 20 years. RUSD refused to help us with our rights to received the funding all received when the doors were shut on March 13, 2020. They did not return our phone calls, from anyone including the Superintendent, and the School Board. Very badly treated.