DC Teacher Files Retaliation Complaint Against Chancellor Lewis Ferebee for Retaliation; WTU Union Remains Silent

L.T. Pret
May 6
2 min read

PRESS STATEMENT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case Involves Sexual Harassment Mishandling, Retaliatory Email, and Alleged Violations of D.C. and Federal Law

"Pretlow’s retaliation complaint is legally substantiated and well-founded."

May 6, 2025 | Washington, D.C. — Larry Pretlow II, a lifelong D.C. resident, educator, and whistleblower, has filed a formal legal complaint against Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee, citing retaliation, procedural obstruction, and failure to act on a sexual harassment report. The case has drawn scrutiny from the D.C. Council, Office of Human Rights (OHR), and labor oversight bodies, as Pretlow continues to pursue accountability through protected legal channels.

After filing an internal sexual harassment complaint on April 9, 2025, and a union-protected grievance with the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), Pretlow received no investigation or support from DCPS leadership. Instead, on April 29, 2025, Chancellor Ferebee responded directly to Pretlow with an email minimizing his protected complaint as mere “dissatisfaction.”

That communication—Ferebee’s first-ever reply to months of documented concerns—came after he had received formal service of pending legal complaints (PERB), and is now central to Pretlow’s D.C. Human Rights Act retaliation claim.

This conduct violates, but is not limited to, the following:

D.C. Code § 2–1402.61 et seq. prohibits retaliation against any person who has filed a complaint, participated in an investigation, or opposed practices made unlawful under the DCHRA.
Additionally, under the D.C. Human Rights Act, employers are required to take prompt and appropriate action when placed on notice of alleged sex-based discrimination or a hostile work environment.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e-3(a)): Forbids retaliation against employees who engage in EEO activity, including complaints or testimony.
Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act (D.C. Code § 1-615.52 et seq.): Protects whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting gross mismanagement, abuse of authority, or legal violations.
Mayor’s Order 2023-131: Sets forth updated sexual harassment guidance for all D.C. Government agencies, requiring timely and impartial handling of all reports.

Despite these clear protections, the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) has remained entirely silent. No legal filings, public advocacy, or institutional support have been provided to Pretlow, exposing a troubling lack of union accountability.

“This is about more than just me—it’s about every educator who speaks up and gets silenced,” Pretlow stated. “Chancellor Ferebee had months to respond to my lawful reports and instead waited until I had active PERB and DC OHR cases on file, then retaliated. That email alone has changed everything.”

The D.C. Office of Human Rights has officially confirmed that Pretlow’s retaliation complaint naming Chancellor Ferebee has been added to Inquiry No. 19271 and is under review. Additional filings and service copies have been provided to PERB, LMER, and the D.C. Council. Pretlow is seeking legal remedies, full investigation, and disciplinary action, including the resignation of the Chancellor.