Principal Resigns Amid Harassment Allegations

Henderson, N.C. — The principal of Southern Vance High School has resigned amid allegations that he sexually harassed a teacher.

James Pickens stepped down as principal during Monday night's Board of Education meeting.

The teacher filed a civil suit in Vance County Superior Court alleging that since March, Pickens has made sexually suggestive and degrading comments to her at school.

In the complaint, the woman alleged Pickens grabbed her, pulled her to him, forceably kissed her and fondled her.

The complaint also claimed Pickens has a history of committing similar acts against women that he supervises.

The allegations caught School Superintendent Norman Shearin by surprise.

"I fell out of my chair almost," said Shearin.

Shearin and the Board of Education are also listed as defendants in the complaint. The victim claimed Pickens' had a history of sexual harassment and that administrators knew it before hiring him. Shearin denied that was the case.

The accuser took a leave of absence from the school because of emotional distress.

Telephone calls by WRAL-TV 5 to Pickens' house Tuesday were not returned.

No criminal charges have been filed.

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As a parent, I have had three children enrolled in SVHS over the last six years. The school has gone down hill with each passing year. The "gentleman" in question, has made remaks that my children have over heard that were totally out of line for a person in his position. One such remark was made to a female student. These remarks were made long before any of this was brought to light. In the times that I have had contact within SVHS, which was weekly, I have felt nothing but disappointment for the condition of this school system. No one seems to have any control over the students, or the classrooms. As for the black and white issue, I have seen first-hand the difference that was made by this schools administration, depending on the students race. I for one am not surprized at any of these charges. My children have been watching and talking about all that has gone on there for the last two school years. P.S. I did not send my childen back to SVHS this school year two school year

lvick
September 12, 2007 1:43 p.m.

Sad to say but this goes on much more than we realize. Unfornately, it happens in very high paying positions becuse a lot of victims fear being black balled, it goes unreported.

tooblessed
September 12, 2007 1:23 p.m.

@Phlootang

I am never anyones favorite anything. I am honored..LOL..Most of the comments posted on stories really have nothing to do with the story itself. It is more about the comments already posted. Either agreeing or disagreeing to prove or disprove a point. I find the comments section to be more interesting than the actual story. I really think 80% of people read comments and then post and bypass the story all together. I must say, it does make for some interesting reading material. Would do you think? LOL

ctrl+alt+delete
September 12, 2007 12:43 p.m.

Not ALL public schools are ineffective. That someone graduated from an adequate school or was able (through his/her own personal ability/family support) to compensate for institutional deficits does not negate the appearance that a number of schools are merely 'big daycare centers.' Disagreements persist b/c each party refuses to acknowledge the possibility that (1) some schools are merely baby sitting centers and (2) some schools contribute to the production of skilled learners. Using anomalies to prove a point is misguided and myopic. But, again, what does this have to do with the article?