GRESHAM, Ore. -- An elementary school principal is being let go because of his sexual orientation, his attorney said.
Tom Klansnic, principal of North Gresham Elementary School, was told by the district on Thursday that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the year.
The district has not provided a reason for its decision.
Klansnic is in his 10th year as principal.
Friends and supporters of Klansnic attended Thursday's school board meeting wearing tee-shirts and carrying messages to express their disappointment in the boards decision.
"I think it is unfortunate," said Denise McCloud. "I don't see how anyone's sexual orientation has anything to do with the job that they do."
Klansnic's attorney, Judy Snyder, said she and her client are preparing to file a lawsuit against the Gresham Barlow School District for discrimination and retaliation.
"He's been a very successful principal and he's continued to be a very successful principal even under close scrutiny of the last two years," Snyder said.
Several years ago, during his seventh year as principal, Klansnic and his wife divorced. He revealed to family and friends that he is gay. Snyder said Klansnic's supervisors treatment of her client changed dramatically in wake of the revelation.
Snyder points out that her client's contract with the district had been renewed twice without performance complaints before he revealed he was gay.
"He's had a great deal of difficulty getting specifics as to what he has failed to do to meet performance expectations," Snyder said.
Klansnic will finish out the year as principal at North Gresham Elementary School, his attorney said.
The Gresham Barlow School District said it could not comment on a personnel matter.
-- Brent Weisberg and Kohr Harland contributed to this report.