Susan Riley. Photo reused with permission of http://3ten.org/

Superintendent David Dude says an investigation into the circumstances that led to the firing of a Decatur High media clerk could conclude this week.

City Schools of Decatur hired Jonathan Poole with Strickland Brockington Lewis to look into the firing of Susan Riley, a beloved employee of Decatur High. She worked there 19 years and was abruptly fired from her job on Friday, Feb. 26. The news of the termination caused an immediate uproar, and Dude later placed Riley on administrative leave. He promised a full and impartial review of the termination.

CSD is paying Poole $235 per hour for his services. The investigation has been underway since at least March 11.

Dude said that once the investigation is complete, “I’ll meet with them and find out what he determined and I’ll make a judgement of what to do next at that point.”

Many in the community will be watching closely to see what move Dude takes based on the outcome of the investigation. After the news of the firing broke, students, staff and community members organized a large rally on Riley’s behalf. There was also a show of support for Riley during a recent School Board meeting.

Riley wasn’t sure why she was fired. Her attorney, David Hughes, later alleged his client was fired for four reasons, including misappropriating school equipment, failing to adhere to a new job plan, inappropriately complaining about her coworkers’ alleged mistreatment of her and for discussing a human resources complaint into her allegations. School Board members have rebutted his accusations, but have declined to offer specifics.

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