BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A former Palm Beach County teacher is taking the local school board to federal court, alleging she was pushed out of her job after a serious accident left her disabled. Ashley Weinrauch, who joined the district in 2018, filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida claiming that the School Board of Palm Beach County violated both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Florida Civil Rights Act. The suit describes Weinrauch as a “highly effective” educator whose career was derailed following a 2021 accident that required multiple surgeries and extensive medical leave.
According to the complaint, the conflict began when Weinrauch sought an extension of her medical leave to continue her recovery. Instead of working with her, Weinrauch alleges the school district issued an ultimatum: return to the classroom with full medical clearance—which her doctors had not yet provided—or resign. In response, she says she formally requested a reasonable accommodation, proposing that she be transitioned into one of several vacant remote teaching positions where she could safely perform her duties.
The legal filing paints a picture of a stalled “interactive process,” claiming the district refused to collaborate or explore remote options. Rather than granting the accommodation, the school board allegedly terminated Weinrauch’s employment on September 18, 2023. The lawsuit argues that the district was fully aware of her physical impairments, which impact her ability to move and lift, yet chose to engage in discriminatory and retaliatory practices rather than providing the support required by federal law.
Weinrauch is now seeking a jury trial and a comprehensive list of damages, including back pay, front pay, and compensation for emotional distress and lost career opportunities. The Palm Beach County School District is set to hold a private discussion on the lawsuit later this week.
