GASTONIA, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — A Gaston County mother is suing the school district alleging officials forced her children to switch schools while they experienced homelessness.
The suit from the mother, identified as K.L., claims Gaston County Schools; Lisa Phillips, state coordinator for Education of Homeless Children ; and N.C. Department of Public Instruction failed her children when the district forced the children to leave their original schools while already facing the trauma of homelessness.
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The 17-page lawsuit filed Jan. 26 states K.L. was evicted in September of 2023 while her children were students at New Hope Elementary and Cramerton Middle School.
With two children and nowhere to go, the suit states the disabled veteran mother switched both children to car riders while searching for steady housing.
Kathy Gauger is the executive director at Catherine’s House in Belmont . She sees women and their children in similar situations while experiencing homelessness. Up to 15 families can stay at the nonprofit facility up to six months while they find safe, permanent and affordable housing.