The lawsuit, filed July 31 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, names the Batesville School District and School Board President Scott Fredericks as defendants. McDonald alleges her Fourteenth Amendment due process rights were violated after she was suspended and later fired following a January incident involving suspected child abuse in a district preschool classroom.
According to the complaint, McDonald was first placed on paid administrative leave before being moved to unpaid leave and ultimately terminated without adequate notice or a meaningful opportunity to respond. The suit also alleges surveillance video and other investigative materials were not fully disclosed before her termination hearing and that the school board relied on an incomplete investigative report.
The lawsuit further claims McDonald was falsely accused of failing to investigate and report suspected child abuse and of committing ethical violations, allegations she denies. McDonald is also alleging breach of contract, noting her three-year employment agreement was terminated before its expiration.
McDonald is seeking a name-clearing hearing, compensatory damages, damages for breach of contract, attorney’s fees and punitive damages related to a defamation claim against Fredericks.
In a statement released with the lawsuit, McDonald said her goal has always been to create safe learning environments for children and that she is now fighting to protect the reputation she built over decades in education.
The Batesville School District has not yet filed a response. The allegations contained in the lawsuit represent McDonald’s claims and have not been proven in court.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
