Full Breakdown
Intersex Teacher Files EEOC Discrimination Charge After Alleged Transgender-Based Dismissal in Florida
6/17/2026, 12:24:19 AM
Alleged Discriminatory Dismissal at Patriot Oaks Academy
On August 2025, Shepard Scalf, an intersex sixth-grade Language Arts teacher hired for the 2025-2026 year at Patriot Oaks Academy in St. Johns County, Florida, was placed on leave and resigned after an emergency meeting with principal Drew Chiodo. He filed an EEOC charge alleging termination because the district perceived him as transgender, despite his male gender identity and an “exemplary” performance rating.
Background and Legal Context
Intersex individuals possess physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary definitions of male or female, and the EEOC filing asserts the district terminated Scalf without a merit-based reason despite his documented “exemplary” performance evaluation. The charge frames the termination as discrimination based on the perception that Scalf is transgender. The filing notes that the district’s explanation did not reference any performance issues.
Timeline and Key Actors
Timeline: In August 2025 Scalf began at Patriot Oaks Academy. On August 29, 2025 principal Drew Chiodo held an emergency meeting during which Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen read a letter stating that, as a first-year teacher, Scalf’s employment was probationary and could be dismissed without cause. After the meeting Scalf consulted a union representative, who advised resignation. He resigned shortly thereafter and filed an EEOC charge the following Monday.
Official Statements & Responses
The district, through a letter read by Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen, stated that Scalf’s employment was probationary because he was a first-year teacher and could be dismissed without cause. The letter offered temporary leave and presented resignation as an option.
Criticism & Opposition
Scalf’s EEOC filing asserts the district terminated him because it perceived him as transgender. He notes the district knew his male gender identity—evidenced by a ‘Mr. Scalf’ placard—and his female-at-birth designation on employment paperwork, yet offered no merit-based reason for dismissal despite an ‘exemplary’ performance rating.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The sources do not contain a public statement from the St. Johns County School District responding to the EEOC charge, nor do they detail any subsequent actions by the EEOC.
Verbatim Quotes
- “At the same time, the district knew both that I have a male gender identity (they gave me a placard saying ‘Mr. Scalf’) and that I was assigned female at birth (based on my employment paperwork),” — Shepard Scalf, Teacher
- “I therefore believe this termination was based on the perception that I am transgender.” — Shepard Scalf, Teacher
- “Scalf resigned after being told by the union rep that a resignation would be better for his future career prospects than a termination, according to the EEOC filing.” — Union Representative (teacher’s union)
