‘Terminated’ Coach Hit With Countersuit

The Conejo Valley Unified School District has filed a countersuit against former Thousand Oaks High football assistant Paul Gomes, who sued the district last month claiming he was professionally damaged when he was forced to resign in November.

In a motion filed Dec. 16 in U. S. District Court in Los Angeles, the school district seeks reimbursement of $3,000 in legal fees by Gomes for filing a “frivolous” suit and asks that the suit be dismissed.

In the countersuit, the district acknowledges for the first time that Gomes, who left the team amid controversy with two games left in the season, was “terminated.” A footnote states that “(Gomes) was not ‘terminated’ during the term of his contract.”

The district contends that Gomes is not a classified employee and therefore is subject to review at the end of each season. Gomes has maintained he is a classified employee and that he was denied due process.

“I was approved by the school board,” Gomes said. “They cannot deny that. But classified or not classified, I’d still be fighting this.”

School and district officials have declined comment. Peter Brown, an attorney representing the district, also declined comment.

School officials originally announced that Gomes, 33, a 14-year Lancer assistant, had resigned to pursue a master’s degree. A month later, Gomes filed suit, claiming he was forced to resign over an incident in which he cursed a player.

“It’s interesting now that they’re saying I was terminated,” Gomes said. “They’ve always said that I wasn’t.”