Cassimy v. Board of Education of the Rockford Public Schools, District # 205

Glenn Cassimy (plaintiff) worked successfully as a principal at two schools within the Rockford Public Schools (district) (defendant) before being reassigned to a third school, Washington Communication Academy (Washington). While at Washington, Cassimy was the subject of complaints by both parents and staff about his inaccessibility and inability to manage school discipline. Cassimy alleged that the Washington job caused him to suffer from severe depression, leading him to take a leave of absence. Cassimy alleged that he was so distressed that he could not read, write, eat, or sleep, although he did not report these symptoms to his doctors. Cassimy and the district explored several options for Cassimy to return to work at the district; however, the two sides could not agree on mutually acceptable terms. Cassimy ultimately chose to leave the district. Over the following several years, Cassimy worked successfully as an administrator in the New York City public schools and as a teacher in the Chicago public schools. After leaving his district position, Cassimy sued the district. Among other claims, Cassimy alleged that the district violated his rights as a disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to accommodate his severe depression. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the district, holding that Cassimy was not disabled for the purposes of the ADA, and Cassimy appealed.