The Greenville Public District and others are denying allegations of bullying and harassment along with several others as stated in a complaint filed with the Circuit Court of Washington back in June 2020.
Nastarcia Parker and a minor are named in the complaint as the plaintiffs while GPSD Superintendent Dr. Debra Dace, Dr. Loretta Shannon, former president of the GPSD board of trustees, head football coach Quintarus McCray and Frances Edwards, along with “John Does 1-10” are listed as the defendants in their acting capacities at the time of the incident in question.
The “background facts” section of the complaint states, “The minor child, T.A., was a twelfth grade student at Greenville High School at the time of the incident and where he also was a starting member of the Greenville High School football team. After having the desire to compete for the title of Homecoming King, T.A. began to be bullied, not by the students at Greenville High School, but by the coach and teachers of Greenville High School causing him much emotional distress to the point of him having to receive treatment and see a psychiatrist.”
“The defendants of the lawsuit only admit that the minor plaintiff was a 12th grade student at Greenville High School and was a member of the Greenville High School football team at the time of the events reference in the complaint The defendants deny all remaining allegations and all liability,” GPSD’s answer and defenses stated.
The complaint also referred to the alleged action as a violation of 2013 Mississippi Code 37-11-67 and a violation of GPSD’s policy on bullying and harassment, claiming that Greenville High School had become a “hostile environment” for the minor at the hands of district employees.
The complaint goes on in detail about the way in which each defendant allegedly acted as an agent of GPSD and contributed to the “harm suffered” by the minor.
Judgement against the defendants, actual and consequential damages as enumerated in the preceding pleadings, attorney’s fees, cost of suit and such other further relief to which the plaintiffs may be justly entitled is the plaintiff’s prayer.
In November, the case was moved from the Washington County Circuit Court to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Greenville division.
U.S. Magistrate Jane Virden is presiding and a case management conference via tele-conference is set for Jan. 22.
