Teacher sues- Principal insisted on inflating records, lawsuit alleges
by BILL LODGE - Advocate (excerpt)

The principal at Riveroaks Elementary School ordered fourth-grade teachers to inflate the grades of failing students during the 2008-09 academic year, one of the teachers alleges in a civil suit in Baton Rouge federal court. Sheila Goudeau now teaches at another Baton Rouge public school, Villa Del Rey Elementary, attorney Craig Sterling Watson said in the suit.

Defendants include the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, current Superintendent John Dilworth, former Superintendent Charlotte Placide and Riveroaks Principal Shilonda Shamlin. Shamlin did not respond to a request for comment that was left Friday with an assistant at her office.

Domoine Rutledge, general counsel for the School Board, said there would be no immediate comment because school officials had not yet received formal notice of the suit. “I’m not going to be able to provide you with any comment,” Rutledge said.