HOUSTON, Texas — Former Herod Elementary School principal Jessica Berry has filed a $3 million lawsuit against the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and Superintendent Mike Miles, alleging defamation, whistleblower retaliation, and violations of federal and state laws, court records show.
Filed this week, the lawsuit claims HISD engaged in the falsification of records and violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Texas Labor Code, the Texas Whistleblower Act, and U.S. Department of Education whistleblower protections.
Berry alleges the district pressured her into signing a termination letter after she raised concerns about district policies. She claims her dismissal was retaliatory and part of broader misconduct that occurred under Superintendent Miles’s leadership.
The lawsuit also includes allegations of intentional infliction of emotional distress, interference with FMLA rights, and maintaining a toxic work environment at Herod Elementary.
In addition to monetary damages, Berry is seeking the termination of Superintendent Miles and the HISD board.
As of Thursday, neither HISD nor Superintendent Miles has issued a public response to the lawsuit. The case is expected to proceed through the courts following Berry’s filing.
