Honeysuckle principal transferred to new job
A Dothan City Schools principal facing misdemeanor charges is being transferred to a job in the system’s central office.
Taylor police charged Patricia Slaughter, 58, of Alabama Highway 52, on May 17 with interfering with a governmental operation and resisting arrest. Slaughter was arrested at her home while Taylor police investigated her 28-year-old son, Jason Slaughter.
Police records indicate Patricia Slaughter was charged with obstruction for throwing a metal yard tool at a police officer. Records also show Slaughter was charged with intentionally attempting to prevent Officer Mike Stacey from arresting her.
After Slaughter’s arrest, she was placed on paid administrative leave. This action is consistent with school employment policy statewide, in which educators facing criminal charges are usually placed on administrative leave until the disposition of their cases. Tenured educators who are terminated can appeal their terminations, and are entitled to receive pay until their appeal is resolved. If they are fired and are acquitted of the charges against them or the charges are dropped, they could possibly sue the school system.
At a special meeting Wednesday morning, the city school board approved Slaughter moving into the open position of assistant director of exceptional student services. The position is being vacated by Carol Cunningham, who is moving up to become director of exceptional student services. Board members Brenda Guilford, Hays McKay and Gayla White were not present at the meeting.
Slaughter’s new job comes with a pay cut and Slaughter has also submitted her intention to retire in July 2011, when she becomes eligible for benefits.
Dothan City School Superintendent Sam Nichols said the move was in the best interest of the school system.
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Reader Reactions
It sickens me that Ms. Slaughter would be allowed to work in the school system in any capacity. As another reader commented, she should be placed on leave until this is resolved. I lost a son to an accidental drug overdose. He attended HMS and it was during this time that he was introduced to marijuanna and crystal meth. I’m not accusing Ms. Slaughter of having anything to do with my son’s death, but a woman of her intelligence working with children in her capacity… I cannot condone the fact that she was trying to protect her son. She obviously knew that there were drugs or other incriminating evidence in the home for her to try to resist the search of her home when there was a warrant.
PR aspects have you noticed the news about this school system? maybe they should focus on education and less PR and politics. maybe they should look at who is running the operation. if they want good PR, put her on paid leave until the case is decided in court. do not stick her in special ed.
What happened in this situation is sad. Certainly the principal made a poor decision; it’s one that many of us may have also made in similar circumstances. From personal observation, though, she has not let any of this influence her performance at school. She is a great advocate for the students, and I believe that those who know her and who have children at H’suckle would agree. I agree with the board decision, however, based on the PR aspects. Those w/ special needs children don’t need to be afraid of her influence, though.
(countymom) Have u ever heard the term due process? Or do u live in a sheltered world. I think you need to find another topic to comment on. Ur stupid!
I understand she was a good principal, but this is still embarrassing to the DCS. I understand trying to protect your children, but this went a little to far. I wish her the best.
(To Leroy) No I was not there but when you have several different officers there issuing a search warrant please tell me how ALL of them can be lying. Last time I checked garden rakes do not fly on there own. If you are so sure that the officers are lying sounds like you should be a great witness for this fine principal.
In all honesty, this whole area is bad with news pertaining to corruption in the school system.
(countymom) Just look at how many of these fine officers have been in the news lately.
(to county mom) Where u there? I see ur so dumb u wanna live in a police state. I do know who was involded. Some of these officers will lie thru there teeth! And you are not on the wrong side when the cops are lying!
I hope some of you are not on your own jury.
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