The federal case between former Kingsville Independent School District Athletic Director Rory Minter and his former employer will resume during a mediation scheduled to take place in San Antonio Monday (December 21).

Minter filed his federal lawsuit against KISD back in February, and tacked on a conspiracy claim in March, targeting retired KISD Superintendent Dr. Rudy Lopez and trustee Romeo Reyes.

Lopez, who repeatedly denies any wrong doing, consistently claims Minter’s appeals have been quashed by both the Texas Education Agency and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

KISD’s former AD filed a grievance against Reyes, back in March of 2008, accusing the trustee of harassment during a basketball playoff game - one month prior - in which H.M. King’s gym was used as a neutral site.

Minter, serving as the playoff game’s administrator, claims Reyes walked into his office and gave him the third degree.

One week after submitting his objection, Minter was told by Lopez that his contract would only be renewed for one year instead of two.

The news shocked Minter who provided copies of Lopez’s most recent review of his performance which noted exemplary work.

Minter then docketed two more grievances - the first against Lopez, declaring discrimination and retaliation as reasons his contract was only reestablished for one year, and the second against KISD Personnel Director Valdemar Leal - who recently retired - for not following through with the previous grievance against Reyes.

A hearing was later held by KISD trustees who dismissed the complaints against Lopez and Leal while agreeing to allow the EEOC to mediate the case against Reyes.

That mediation - conducted in June 2008 - did not satisfy Minter who then enlisted attorney Charles Smith of Corpus Christi.

The former AD offered KISD to buy out the last year of his contract ($69,000) but the district declined.

Minter resigned from KISD on July 31, 2008 and was hired months later as an assistant basketball coach with Haltom High School of the Birdville Independent School District.

KISD attorney Leo Villareal later debated with TEA Judge Christopher Maska claiming that his organization did not have dominion in the matter and that Minter’s charges should be dismissed because he failed to state a monetary claim for the alleged violations.

Maska agreed that his agency did not have jurisdiction and then granted Minter and Smith 45 day to revise their case so that TEA could preside over it.

The EEOC, Minter said, gave him the green light to file suit against KISD in November 2008. Villareal, though, later provided the Kingsville Record with a letter claiming the EEOC had absolved KISD.