COLUMBIA — A former teacher filed a retaliation lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools. Angela Jolley claimed she was forced out of her job for taking and sharing photos of rooms used to isolate students with special needs.
Jolley’s attorney Doug Mann said, “She is what we would call a textbook whistleblower. She was one of the first people to notice the boxes being used to seclude and isolate students at CORE.”
Jolley testified before state officials in 2020 about Columbia Public Schools officials confining some elementary school students with special needs in plywood boxes. Her photos showed the boxes were at the CORE facility or the district’s Center for Responsive Education. Jolley’s lawsuit sought protection and damages under the state “whistleblower” law. Missouri lawmakers said the room was little more than a wooden box.
Mann said, “This was abusive and discriminatory against the students that were being isolated and secluded.”
Jolley’s retaliation lawsuit claimed she suffered threats and intimidation, was reprimanded several times and finally forced out of her job last summer. Jolley sought financial compensation from the school district for loss of income and benefits, attorney fees and the loss of future wages and earnings.
Mann said, “With cases like this, they take a while. We would not expect anything in the direct near future, although there is always a chance that the school district will be open to negotiations.”
Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman...
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