A sexual harassment lawsuit against Columbus High School Principal Craig Shannon was settled Feb. 26.
Shannon, who formerly was principal of Fillmore Alternative School in Tupelo and has been with the CMSD for three years, was accused of sexual harassment by a school resource officer from the Tupelo School District.
A Verona police officer who also worked with Shannon as a part-time school resource officer, Tara Nicole Sloan said Shannon made comments about her body, made “sexually inappropriate remarks” and “sex-related suggestions,” according to her initial court complaint.
“The case was resolved by the (TPSD”s) insurance company,” Berk Huskison, a Columbus attorney with Mitchell, McNutt & Sams who represented Shannon, said this morning, noting settlement terms are confidential. “The insurance company has authority to settle cases without approval of the school or Craig Shannon and, for economic reasons, it made the decision to resolve the case to avoid the expense of trial. The terms of settlement are confidential, and the case is now closed.”
The TPSD became aware of Sloan”s allegations in November 2006, Huskison earlier said, noting Sloan declined to participate in the school district”s investigation of the charges, which, Huskison said, found no evidence to support the allegations.
Jim Waide and Luther Fisher of Tupelo represented Sloan, who, The Northeast Mississippi Journal reported also has a suit against the Monroe County Sheriff”s Office for sexual discrimination after she was denied a road deputy position. Sloan was hired as a Monroe County corrections officer after being fired from the Verona Police Department, The Journal reported, noting Monroe County Sheriff Andy Hood confirmed Sloan then resigned from her position at the jail.
Haley Bonner sued Shannon and the TPSD in 2004, accusing Shannon of a violation of civil rights; Bonner sued on behalf of a student the case, which voluntarily was dismissed in 2005 without prejudice.
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