Elk Grove Unified ex-worker alleges retaliation over report of school shooting threat
A former Elk Grove Unified School District employee is suing the district for allegedly retaliating against her after she cooperated with law enforcement on a school shooting threat investigation and reported suspected child abuse.
The plaintiff, Rachel Cormier, worked as a social worker at Monterey Trail High School.
The lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court alleges that Cormier became involved in a “serious student safety matter involving credible threats of school violence” in early April 2025 and was contacted by law enforcement regarding a possible school shooting threat.
The lawsuit alleges that district officials brought law enforcement officers to Cormier and asked her to speak with them. At law enforcement’s request, she provided information and documents relevant to the investigation, which she says she believes was required under California Education Code Section 49393.
The code states that a school official who is aware of or perceives any threat will immediately report it to law enforcement, and the report “shall include copies of any documentary or other evidence associated with the threat or perceived threat.”
The student involved was later arrested and expulsion was recommended.
The lawsuit alleges that district officials later accused Cormier of violating confidentiality rules by providing law enforcement with documents and reprimanded her. She was also allegedly told not to discuss the situation with her colleagues.
After Cormier reported suspected child abuse as a mandated reporter in May 2025, which the lawsuit alleges was “despite alleged administrative resistance and/or direction to proceed differently,” the principal issued her a “formal written reprimand alleging insubordination, violation of confidentiality, and dishonesty.” Cormier alleges she was issued a second reprimand in July that said continued noncompliance could lead to termination.
Cormier felt the allegations in the reprimands were “false, misleading, exaggerated, pretextual, and/or unsupported,” the lawsuit reads. She filed rebuttals while on unrelated medical leave and attempting to transfer, but those requests were allegedly denied.
Cormier resigned in October 2025. The lawsuit reads that the district’s “disciplinary campaign” against Cormier was substantially motivated by her reporting suspected child abuse and threats of violence to the school.
“The totality of these circumstances, including being disciplined for complying with legal duties, the escalation of baseless accusations, threats of termination, denial of transfer, and continued pressure during medical leave, created working conditions that were objectively intolerable,” the lawsuit reads.
The lawsuit lists three causes of action, including retaliation in violation of Labor Code Section 1102.5, which provides protection for whistleblowers; retaliation in violation of public policy; and declaratory relief.
An EGUSD spokesperson said the district does not comment on pending litigation.
The plaintiff is seeking a jury trial for this lawsuit and unspecified damages, as well as reinstatement or reassignment from her job and the removal of “retaliatory discipline” from her personnel file.
A hearing in the case was set for February, according to the online court system.
