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08/20/05
By Marc Dadigan/Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer
A second Cedartown High School cheerleading coach sued the Polk County School District on Friday, accusing Superintendent Darrell Sorrells of unfairly suspending her because of unsubstantiated allegations that nude photographs were taken of cheerleaders.
Amber Fuqua, a Rockmart resident, asked for monetary damages and to return to her teaching duties after Sorrells placed her and fellow cheerleading coach Rhonda Lindsey on administrative leave with pay Aug. 12.
That same day, according to the suit filed in federal court, Sorrells met with both women asking them about their handling of cheerleading funds and about the alleged photographs.
Sorrells declined to comment Friday evening, saying he had been advised by his attorney not to discuss the issue.
Polk school board member Bobby Brooks stated Friday he had not seen any of the alleged photographs. Other board members contacted declined to comment.
In the suit, Fuqua asserts that no such photos exist and that Sorrells and the school system never had any evidence of their existence.
She also accuses the school district of violating her rights of due process by suspending her without a written notification and a hearing as required by Georgia law.
A superintendent can suspend a teacher for as many as 10 days without a hearing if the teacher is deemed a danger to students, but there still must be written notification, according to Georgia state law.
Fuqua also states in her suit that the school district failed to provide her with witness statements and other evidence collected during the investigation.
After the two coaches were placed on leave, the suit charges, the school district “engaged” attorney Brian Smith of Gainesville to complete the investigation in an alleged effort to subvert open record laws.
Smith did not return a call to his office Friday afternoon seeking comment.
Fuqua also charges in the suit that she was slandered by comments the school board and Sorrells made to the news media about the case.
Lindsey filed a similar lawsuit Thursday and also is seeking monetary damages and reinstatement.
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I think that Polk County Schools, the super, and their lawyer are going to regret this...
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