A hearing is scheduled for March 22 at the U.S. Federal Building in Aberdeen for a Columbus principal accused of sexual harassment.
Craig Shannon, principal at Columbus High School, is being accused of sexual harassment by a school resource officer who worked with him when he was principal of Fillmore Alternative School in Tupelo. The suit was filed in 2007.
Tupelo Public School District stands by Shannon, who has been with Columbus Municipal School District for three years according to Janet Lewis, public information officer for CMSD.
Berkley N. Huskison of Mitchell, McNutt and Sams said Shannon was a longtime employee of the TPSD and is well-respected in the Tupelo community. Huskison is representing Shannon and the school district in the case.
Tara Nicole Sloan, a Verona police officer who also worked with Shannon as a part-time school resource officer, said in her initial complaint Shannon made comments on her body, “making sexually inappropriate remarks” and “sex-related suggestions.”
He also would “look upon her in an inappropriate and lascivious manner,” during work hours, interrupting her job to do so.
When Sloan reported the incidents to her immediate supervisor, the complaint says, Shannon cut her hours in retaliation.
The district and Shannon deny all allegations in their response. Sloan also failed to follow any “preventative and corrective procedures” offered by the district”s policy, the defendants noted in their response.
“The Tupelo Public School District became aware of Sloan”s allegations of harassment against Principal Craig Shannon in November 2006,” Huskison said in a statement, this morning.
The district immediately began an investigation, including interviews with Shannon and witnesses and “found no evidence to support the allegations of Sloan and all witnesses interviewed supported Mr. Shannon.”
“Sloan declined to participate in the investigation,” Huskison wrote, adding “Shannon has a proven track record of service to his community and has dedicated his life to the education of children and it is unfortunate that he is forced to defend these unsupported allegations.”
The complaint goes on to say Shannon had similar encounters with other black females working at the school.
Sloan is suing for actual and punitive damages, along with attorney”s fees, to be determined by a jury.
Jim Waide and Luther Fisher of Tupelo are representing Sloan.
Margaret Sams Gratz of Mitchell, McNutt and Sams is co-counsel for the defense.
Haley Bonner sued Shannon and the Tupelo Public School District in 2004, for a violation of civil rights.
The Bonner case dealt with a student matter and was voluntarily dismissed in 2005, without prejudice.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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