Former TEA science director files federal lawsuit
7/2/2008 7:38 PM
By: News 8 Austin Staff
She was in charge of the science curriculum in Texas schools and said she lost her job for supporting evolution.
Christina Castillo-Comer resigned, under pressure, from the Texas Education Agency last November.
She worked at the TEA for nine years, but her employment came to an abrupt end when supervisors told her she could head for the door or they would be forced to show her to it.
Now, Comer has filed – in federal court – to get her job back and her name cleared.
This was a result of a controversial e-mail that Comer forwarded to several people.
The e-mail was about a speaker coming to Austin who had critical views of creationism.
The e-mail was intercepted by a state education leader.
WATCH THE VIDEO Comer
News 8's Catie Beck shares more about the lawsuit.
Comer was then told that she had violated policy by forwarding the email because the state agency has a neutral position on evolution issues.
In her complaint, Comer said that the actions of the TEA were unconstitutional and based on political motivations to support creationism.
Comer is asking for reinstatement, for a judgment finding the TEA at fault and for reimbursement for legal fees.
The TEA was not available for comment late Wednesday.
News 8 Austin will have more details on this story as they become available.
, former director of the science curriculum for the  (TEA), is suing the Commissioner Robert Scott for wrongful dismissal. Comer alleges that she was "illegally fired for forwarding an e-mail about a lecture that was critical of the teaching of  in science classes." Her suit alleges she was "terminated for contravening an unconstitutional policy" which required "employees to be neutral on the subject of  – the biblical interpretation of the origin of humans." 

 reported, "The policy was in force even though the federal courts have ruled that teaching creationism as science in public schools is illegal under U.S. Constitution's provision preventing government establishment or endorsement of religious beliefs." Among Comer's supporters is Philosopher and  speaker  who was the presenter at the lecture Comer mentioned in the email.

 reported, "The TEA was not available for comment late Wednesday."