Monday, May 9, 2016, 7:19 pm News Flash Archive

Dr. Montrell Greene, former superintendent of the Greenwood Public School District, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the District and three of its new members, President Deirdre Mayes, Samantha Milton, and Randy Clark.

Greene charges the three board members with conspiring to unlawfully terminate his contract as superintendent without providing him a reason, a hearing, or in any way discussing with him how he had failed to adequately perform his duties as superintendent. Greene claims he was not allowed to defend himself before the Board voted to fire him. Greene claims that the manner of his termination injured his good name and reputation, as well as deprived him of his property interest in his contract which had two more years to run.

Greene is represented by Greenville attorney Willie Griffin. Greene is asking the court to reinstate him as superintendent, and to award damages of $5.5 million against the School District and the three board members.

Greene's complaint may be viewed here: Greene v. Greenwood Public School District et al.

Greene's contract had been extended into 2018 by the School Board just one year prior, with Greene receiving an excellent job performance review. But according to the lawsuit, Mayor Carolyn McAdams began replacing board members friendly to Greene, and once they obtained a majority, they immediately called a special board meeting on January 4, 2016, and voted to fire Greene.

Greene's complaint alleges that one board member, Randy Clark, had never spoken to Greene at all, and had never attended a board meeting prior to the special meeting at which Clark joined the other two new members to fire Greene.

Greene asked the Board to provide him with an explanation for what cause the Board had terminated him, and what documentation the Board relied upon. According to the complaint, the Board refused to provide Greene with that information.

Greene had to file a suit in Chancery Court to force the Board to provide him with any explanation as to the cause for which he had been fired. The Chancellor ordered the Board to provide such an explanation in an order entered March 17, 2016 by Judge Catherine Farris-Carter.

A copy of the Chancellor's order, along with copies of Greene's contracts, and the letter of termination from Board Attorney Carlos Palmer, may be viewed here: Chancellor's Order and Exhibits

John Pittman Hey
The Taxpayers Channel

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