Judge: Cobb school board had right to fire principal

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Cobb County school board had the right to fire a principal who suggested an employee wear a dress and stilettos, Cobb Superior Court Judge LaTain Kell ruled Friday.

handout Judge upholds dismissal of former Cobb school principal, Lawrence Bynum.

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“The Cobb County school district will not tolerate employees who act inappropriately,” attorney Glenn Brock said Friday evening. “They work really hard to maintain a supportive environment for teachers and staff, and that allows them to provide an excellent education for the students.”

The Cobb board voted unanimously to fire Lawrence Bynum in October, following a three-day disciplinary tribunal. In firing Bynum, principal of North Cobb High School, the local board went beyond the recommendations of Superintendent Fred Sanderson and a tribunal panel.

Bynum and his attorney, Warren Fortson, appealed the Cobb board’s ruling to the state Board of Education. In March, the state board reversed the local board’s decision, stating that the punishment was too severe.

The Cobb board appealed that ruling in Superior Court. Judge Kell heard arguments from both sides in July, but did not rule at that time.

“You win some and you lose some. I lost this one,” Fortson said. “He just called them as he saw it. I respect his decision.”

Bynum was named North Cobb principal during the summer of 2008 while facing an investigation into sexual harassment allegations. Those allegations began while he was Floyd Middle School principal. In July 2008, Bynum was issued a “last chance” letter of reprimand by the school system.

Within days of starting at North Cobb, Bynum suggested a female school social worker “wear a dress and stilettos” for a presentation. He has said he was trying to put her at ease.

Fortson said his client had not decided whether to appeal Kell’s ruling.