Calgary Jewish Academy appeals Ben Karmel's $900K wrongful dismissal case

The Calgary Jewish Academy has appealed a court decision ordering it to pay almost $900,000 in damages to its former principal after he was found to be wrongfullydismissed.

In November, Calgary Judge A.D.Macleodawarded BenKarmel$870,000 in damages for wrongful termination, saying former school board chair EricKettnerlaunched a months-long campaign to sabotage him.

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The judge found that Kettner excluded Karmel from meetings and sent negative emails about him to colleagues aspart of his effort to turn the board against the principal.

The court heardKarmel was "near his breaking point" by the end of 2012,taking medication for sleep and depression.

In theappeal filed on Dec. 14, the Calgary Jewish Academy is asking the court to determine "whether the trial judge erred in finding that [CJA] did not have just cause to terminate [Karmel's] employment."

The CJA is also asking the appeals court to revisit the amount of the damages awarded.

Karmel was awarded$670,000 in damages under the employment contract, plus $200,000 in aggravated damages for the harm hesuffered because of the school's conduct.