Five veteran teachers have sued the principal of Emerson Middle School and the district, claiming that they were subject to discrimination based on their age.

Attorney Michael Sussman, who represents the teachers, accuses the principal of trying to push his clients out of the faculty.

Sussman claims that one of the educators, 56-year-old Brenda Fracaroli, was given poor evaluations and then forced to request a transfer out of the school or face the consequences.

The attorney says the problem has been brought to the attention of senior officials in the school district, but was universally ignored.

School Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio declined to comment on the allegations because it is an ongoing legal case.

The head of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers, Pat Puleo, says the union helped resolve some contractual matters for one Emerson educator, but adds that she was not aware of age discrimination issues in the district.

?I find it difficult to believe that teachers [who] are good, strong and wonderful, successful teachers for 15, 20 years, and all of a sudden they're not,? Puleo says.