Woman claims husband’s race cost her a job with local school district

MONROEVILLE — A woman, applying for a position with the Gateway School District, claims she was not hired because her husband is African American.

According to Pittsburgh attorney Todd Hollis, Korie Mortin-Rozier was the target of racial discrimination.

“It’s insulting,” said Hollis.

Mortin-Rozier applied to be the district’s athletic director, a job that her attorney says, she is more than qualified for.

But, according to Hollis, more than a week ago, Mortin-Rozier was made aware of a group text-message from February of 2020.

Channel 11 is told, members of the group included school board members, including Paul Caliari.

In the exchange about Mortin-Rozier - Caliari writes, “Didn’t she start dating the darkies?”

Following the message, Caliari responded to the group saying, “Misfire. Nobody on this text chain married into the Darkey family.”

Rick McIntyre, who was on the group message asked Caliari to explain his text.

He tells Channel 11, Caliari told him he didn’t realize he was on a group text and thought he was just talking to him.

“That’s not what the text was about. He flat out said I meant to send that to you,” said McIntyre.

McIntyre is the reason the public is now aware of Caliari’s comments.

He took the screen grab and shared it. Something, he wishes he would have done sooner.

“Probably my biggest regret as a school board member is that I didn’t act on this sooner. It’s been weighing on me pretty heavily since February,” said McIntyre.

And as for why Mortin-Rozier did not get the job McIntyre says it had nothing to do with race.

But, for her attorney, this incident highlights what could be a bigger problem.

“To the extent that nine school board members were aware of this information 10 days ago and only one came forward is a problem,” said Hollis.

And the man at the center of exchange, Paul Caliari, talked to Channel 11 over the phone and shared this statement:

“The text message from February 2020 you are talking about was meant for a different text chain. Darkey (Darki) is the last name of the people I was talking about.”

He also offered an apology.

“The first thing I would do is apologize for the confusion and hurt this has caused. I would also tell her that I was a big advocate of her to get the AD position.”

Caliari also says, even though his vote went to the candidate who now has the job he and the board also discussed hiring Morton-Rozier for another position, wich McIntyre, confirmed.

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