By fitsnews – May 23, 2009
Since the editors over at liberal La Socialista (a.k.a. The State newspaper) have decided our story on a former S.C. principal’s discrimination lawsuit is kind of a big deal, we figured we’d be remiss if we didn’t bring you what we’re sure will be plaintiff’s Exhibit A in this unfolding drama – the deal that the district gave her male supervisor.
For those of you who haven’t been following this made-for-TV soap opera, last summer FITS broke the news of an alleged affair between former Lexington-Richland District 5 Superintendent Scott Andersen and one of his subordinates, former River Springs Elementary Principal Melissa Cole.
Part of a broader FITS investigation into the district’s manipulation of student population data, the affair allegations were reportedly the primary reason behind Andersen resigning his position less than a month after our original story ran.
Three weeks after Andersen resigned, in August of last year, Cole also “resigned” her position – although her lawsuit alleges that this decision was “forced” and that her resignation was offered “under duress.”
Cole also alleges that she was lied to by the district and treated differently than her male supervisor.
Andersen’s severance package (click below to read it) amounted to roughly $24,000 – which included twenty days of accrued vacation time and a $10,000 lump sum.
Cole’s suit says she received no severance pay or any other consideration.
Oh, in case you’re wondering why “Andersen” is spelled “AndersEn,” throughout those documents, it’s some ridiculous spelling that the ex-Superintendent insisted upon. Fortunately, the district’s new Superintendent, Herb Berg, does not insist on the random capitalization of vowels in his name.
Finally, we’d like to compliment our friends at La Socialista for (eventually) picking up this story – much like they (eventually) picked up on all the initial Cole-Andersen stories that we ran.
Better late than never …
