A state commission has concluded there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of probable cause that the City of Williamsport discriminated against an ex-recreation director on the basis of her sex.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office last week released this conclusion in answer to the former city recreation director, Kayla Drummond, filed federal civil action against the city in U.S. Middle District Court.

The commission report outlines numerous investigative steps it took before reaching the conclusion.

It described how Drummond filed a complaint of discrimination against the city on March 9, 2023, having met all jurisdictional requirements under the state Human Relations Act.

It stated Drummond alleged that the city discriminated against her because of her sex in violation of the law when the city discharged her of her duties as recreation director.

However, in order for Drummond to prevail in her discrimination claim of discharge due to sex, she must have shown that she was performing at a satisfactory level and that the city did not have a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for replacing her with someone outside her protected class, according to the commission finding.

Drummond alleged that she was let go from the city because she is female. While the parties agree that Drummond’s replacement was outside her protected class, the investigation determined that Drummond was not the only woman employed by the city.

Moreover, evidence supports that Drummond had numerous alleged performance issues which included failure to notify her supervisor that she was taking off or working from home, failure to obtain her Certified Pool Operator certification as requested and attempting to cancel the StrEAT Food Festival without consulting her supervisor, or the mayor, according to the commission letter.

Additionally, evidence showed Drummond receiving emails from her immediate supervisor advising her of the policy regarding taking off or working from home, according to the letter.

Furthermore, evidence showed that Drummond failed to proactively order chemicals needed to treat the pool and failed to obtain a pesticide certification, which was a requirement for the job, according to the commission’s response.

Evidence also showed Drummond allegedly failed to make timely payments of invoices to vendors, and records showed that on more than one occasion, Drummond allegedly failed to pay a vendor/performer for their job done with the city.

Drummond also allegedly failed to reply to an AmeriCorps manager regarding whether the city would be hosting an AmeriCorps member.

The manager had to contact the mayor to obtain a response. Additionally, Drummond was counseled on her performance but did not show improvement, according to the commission.

Evidence shows that the city discharged her due to her not meeting its expectation, not due to her protected class and, while a man was hired to replace her, there is no evidence to suggest that sex was a factor in the decision to discharge her or when making the decision as to who to replace her with, the letter concluded.

Drummond’s lawsuit requests a trial by a jury of 12. There has been an appearance of Christine E. Munion, an attorney from the Law Offices of William J. Ferren & Associates of Hartford, on behalf of the City of Williamsport. Drummond has retained the legal services of Michael J. Zicolello, Schemery Zicolello Attorney at Law, 333 Market St.

The case is being managed by Judge Matthew W. Brann.