Grand Prairie school counselor's lawsuit exposes teacher misconduct

Grand Prairie - A former school counselor, Gabriana Clay-White, has filed a lawsuit against Grand Prairie Independent School District, alleging she was coerced into resigning after she reported a teacher's abusive behavior towards a special needs student, Dallas Metro News reported.

The lawsuit, which was filed this month in Dallas County, indicates that Clay-White had reported the incident to both Child Protective Services and assistant principals within the district.

Although the lawsuit does not explicitly identify the school or the teacher involved, online records reveal that the assistant principals named in the suit were employed at Daniels Academy of Math and Science, an elementary school, at the time of the incident.

According to the legal documents, Clay-White was assisting a special needs student in a classroom in May 2022 when the student indicated dissatisfaction with the teacher, stating that the teacher had taken his chips. In response, the teacher allegedly pulled the chair from under the student, causing him to fall. She is also accused of using a racial slur against the student and demeaning him for his reading skills.

The lawsuit further states that as Clay-White was guiding the student towards the exit, the teacher approached in an aggressive manner. Although the student attempted to swing at the teacher, Clay-White intervened to prevent physical contact. It is alleged that the teacher then stepped on the student's chest after he fell to the ground.

After removing the teacher's foot from the student's chest, Clay-White exited the classroom with the student in tow. The teacher is alleged to have followed them into the hallway, making a derogatory comment about the student's mother. The lawsuit does not disclose the age or grade level of the student involved.

In compliance with state law, Clay-White reported the incident to the assistant principals and Child Protective Services the next day. She subsequently provided a statement to the district's human resources department and was later summoned to the principal's office for another statement.

According to the lawsuit, Clay-White was informed on June 2 by the human resources department that she had breached the district's ethics code. Faced with the options of either resigning or being terminated, Clay-White opted to resign, stating she did so under duress. The lawsuit is seeking damages ranging from $250,000 to $1 million for mental anguish, back pay, lost wages, and punitive damages.

When contacted for a comment, Sam Buchmeyer, a spokesperson for Grand Prairie ISD, declined to discuss personnel or employment-related issues. However, he emphasized that allegations of teacher misconduct are treated with the utmost seriousness. Buchmeyer added that both district officials and Child Protective Services had conducted a thorough investigation into the incident, and considered the matter to be resolved.

Credit: Dallas Metro News, Fort Worth Star Telegram