Chickamauga teacher accused of molestation is fired
By Larry Brooks
Monday August 18, 2008 7:41:11am


An elementary school teacher accused of molesting a former student has been fired from Chickamauga Elementary School.

On Friday, the Chickamauga school board called a special meeting to decide the future of Tonya Craft at the school.

Superintendent Melody Day said of the charges pending against Craft, "In 30 years here we've never had any situation or allegation of this nature. It is very difficult to believe."

In Friday’s meeting, the board decided to fire Craft, saying the decision was “best for the school.”

The decision from the board comes months after Craft was accused of molesting two girls inside her home on Sycamore Street in Chickamauga.

For the past two months, Craft has been suspended by the school system while undergoing police and school investigations.

The school system on Friday decided to end its investigation and fire Craft.

According to information presented by the school board, Craft's bond says she isn't allowed around children under the age of 18. The only time she can be around children is at a family reunion.

Due to the conditions specified in her bond the board felt it had no other choice but to let her go.

School board vice chairman Billy Ellis said Craft, if she had not be fired, would have been suspended every 60 days until she was found innocent or guilty.

Ellis said that in a small school system like Chickamauga, with little money and in desperate need of a kindergarten teacher, the repeated suspension was not an option.


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please
Comments: 128
Joined: 08/17/2007
08/19/2008 08:55:46 PM
You are probably right, they know they have no case. The bad part is, she won't have a case against them either. A citizen has almost no recourse when falsely accused. The police department has all but immunity when they ruin lives. Unless you can prove they did so with malice, your life is just over. As far as them not wanting to look stupid, hate to tell them but that horse is already out of the barn.
 
maggie
Comments: 1542
Joined: 01/08/2006
08/19/2008 11:57:32 AM
They probably haven't indicted her, because they don't have a case, but aren't in any hurry to clear her name, as that would make them look stupid.
 
please
Comments: 128
Joined: 08/17/2007
08/19/2008 10:13:40 AM
This is a shining example of all that is wrong with the judicial system. She was arrested months ago, and still hasn't been indicted. One indicted, it may take two years to get a trial. That is just WRONG. Staying neutral in the topic, if she is guilty, she is free when she shouldn't be. If she is innocent, the trial would prevent her life from being destroyed. Either way is not good for anyone. She should have been allowed to prove her innocence immediately.
 
maggie
Comments: 1542
Joined: 01/08/2006
08/19/2008 06:31:27 AM
I agree with each of you that it is wrong that she has been fired, but according to her bond conditions, she can't be around children, so she can't teach at this time. I can understand the school's position that they can't keep her on indefinite suspension with pay. Doesn't make it right and I still believe this woman is innocent, but sadly in today's world a person has to prove their innocence, not the other way around as it used to be. Also, since she is not in jail, it could take some time to get her case to trial.
 
mrsmusic
Comments: 7
Joined: 12/17/2005
08/18/2008 09:20:17 PM
I agree with cck36. We'll never see it if she's found innocent. It's not sensational when someone is found innocent and most media outlets nowadays are all about sensationalism.

I hope she is a member of the Georgia Association of Educators. She should immediately call them and secure legal representation. I'm not 100% sure but I believe it was illegal for the system to fire her without her having gone to trial and been found guilty.
 
cck36
Comments: 126
Joined: 03/29/2007
08/18/2008 04:00:07 PM
I hate stories like this .If she is cleared of all charges you will not see it in the paper or on the news.I know crimes like this are terrible but not every one accused is guilty.Her reputation is damaged beyond repair and her professional life is shot.Let's say months from now she is found innocent what then?Will she get a retraction in the paper will law enforcement apologize and say they were wrong? I doubt it.I agree let the evidence show if she is guilty or innocent.
 
Sarah27728
Comments: 126
Joined: 10/23/2007
08/18/2008 11:02:38 AM
but.. what if she's found innocent?



i'm all for keeping our children safe and everything. and no, i dont think you sould be paid for sitting at home [espcially when ur sitting there b/c ur accused of molestation]. but i do think that in america, you're innocent until proven guilty.

so bring on the evidence.
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