Tip Lefebvre, who lost his job at...

Tip Lefebvre, who lost his job at Santa Margarita High as both teacher and baseball coach after 11 years, is suing the Diocese of Orange and the high school for lost earnings and benefits, costs of seeking other employment and emotional distress. The suit was filed last Thursday in Orange County Superior Court.

“All I want to do is clear my name,’ Lefebvre said Monday. Lefebvre, 59, was suspended with pay in March after Santa Margarita assistant principal Lu Dominguez led an internal investigation into his conduct in the classroom and on the baseball field. Lefebvre, who taught science and health, was placed on administrative leave March 9. His one-year contract, which had been renewed annually, ended on June 30. The suit claims his losses in earnings and benefits are in excess of $250,000.

“We had hoped to be able to handle this amicably, and we felt that we did, but this is certainly his right to do this and it’s our right to defend,” said Maria Schinderle, the Diocese director of human resources. Lefebvre’s claims in the suit that the Diocese and school did not act in good faith during the grievance process, and that parental disapproval--rather than coaching performance--led to his removal. He also claims that conditions at Santa Margarita were unsafe for coaches and players due to various threats of physical and bodily harm from parents; and that he was required to seek medical care and assistance for “injuries suffered to his body and mind” since the decision to remove him.