A federal court jury has recommended a Rio Grande Valley school district and four of its board members pay more than $3.2 million in damages after the panel convicted the school board members of political retaliation for demoting district workers who opposed them in 2014 elections.
The Brownsville Herald reports U.S. District Judge Randy Crane, who presided over the four-day trial that ended Thursday, said it could be months before he decides on the damages against the school district in Donna and board trustees Alberto Sandoval, Eloy Infante, Nick Castillo and Elpidio Yanez Jr.
Seven district employees filed suit in February 2015, contending their rights to due process, freedom of speech and the right to choose political associations were violated when they were reassigned and had their pay cut.
