NORWAY — A grievance hearing took place last week for a Norway-Vulcan Area Schools teacher whose position has since been eliminated.

The Norway-Vulcan Area Schools Personnel and Finance Committee on Tuesday heard from Cassandra Gustafson, a math interventionist teacher, and her Michigan Education Association representative, Dave Martinson.

The school board May 19 cut Gustafson’s position, citing financial reasons.

But Gustafson claims her job was eliminated in retaliation for filing the grievances and that she has been a target for years.

She has faced harassment since she lodged a previous grievance over high school Principal Joe Tinti teaching classes that were traditionally union positions, Martinson said. Despite settling the grievance, it had been referenced in Gustafson’s performance evaluation.

Another grievance alleged Gustafson faced stricter enforcement of school policies compared to male colleagues, having received a four-page disciplinary document for leaving her classroom a few minutes early to coach the tennis team while male coaches commonly leave early.

Martinson argued there has been a long-term plan to get rid of Gustafson, possibly due to her previously serving as union president and pointing out administrative errors.

With the potential of heading for mediation, neither school officials nor Gustafson could be reached for further comment after the hearing.