Rhea County school officials have denied allegations of bullying and harassment from a former teacher who claimed the system violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The school system’s response to the federal lawsuit filed by former first grade teacher Martha McClendon contends school officials investigated her claims and deemed them unfounded. The response also says the statute of limitations has expired on other claims in the suit filed July 2 in U.S. District Court. The suit names the Rhea County School District and Spring City Elementary School as defendants, claiming federal ADA violations and retaliation and discrimination based on disability under Tennessee law. The suit seeks court costs, attorney fees, unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and either reinstatement or bonus pay.
McClendon, who has been diagnosed with lupus, scleroderma, fibromyalgia, depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, earned tenure in her “dream” job, according to the suit. School administrators at first were supportive and accommodating in providing a safe work environment until McClendon reported problems to them, and harassment allegedly began to increase rather than improve.
In their answer filed Aug. 20, the school system and school contend the yearlong statute of limitations on McClendon’s suit “has already run as the plaintiff’s resignation from the school system was effective May 30, 2024,” more than a month before records show McClendon’s suit was filed July 2.