School board moves employee termination appeal to next meeting for oral argument after public plea

The Caddo Parish School Board on March 17 voted to move an employee termination appeal to the next board meeting to allow oral argument by attorneys for both sides.

During the visitor portion, Rose Shelton Singleton said a student in her classroom made a violent threat — "Me and my mom will come to school and beat you up" — and she said she called police but that no report was recorded in the school system. Singleton told the board that the incident led to her termination and requested copies of the school’s records and payroll information. She cited statutory language (transcribed excerpts: "Law RS1749.3 mandatory reporting" and "RS4 colon 40.6 Six. Unlawful dis disruption of school operations") in asking the board to review the handling of the matter.

Pamela Jones, speaking on behalf of the employee who has filed the appeal, asked the board to allow oral argument and suggested the board reset the item so the employee could present through counsel and the school could respond through counsel. Board attorneys confirmed the board has three options under policy: uphold the termination, reverse it, or schedule oral argument at a future meeting.

Board member Dr. Terren Vincent moved to defer the appeal to the next meeting for oral argument; Mr. Green seconded. Trustees who spoke in favor cited due process and counsel agreement. The motion carried on voice and electronic vote.

What happens next: the appeal will be heard at the board’s next meeting with attorneys presenting oral arguments. Board staff indicated the termination followed an internal investigation; trustees noted the termination already occurred and that moving the appeal does not reverse staff action but allows the employee an opportunity to present her case.

The board did not announce a specific date for the oral‑argument hearing during the March 17 meeting; staff said the item would appear on the next agenda.