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Nov 19, 2007 9:21 pm US/Central
Former Coach Drops Lawsuit Against McKinney ISD
McKINNEY (CBS 11 News) ―
Michaela Ward said she just wanted her job back at McKinney North High School. Instead, she said she lost everything.
She waged the battle for more than a year, but now she said she's giving up.
"This was never about wanting anyone to lose their jobs. It was just about wanting things to be right," said Ward.
Ward said she was forced out as the coach of the cheer squad and a teacher because she tried to discipline the cheerleaders and was rebuffed. The daughter of the now former principal, Linda Theret, was a member of the squad.
"That's not something I'm going to accept. No matter how long it's been taking place or how long anyone thinks it's going to continue to happen," said Ward.
Ward sued the district and five administrators for wrongful termination and defamation. A lawyer for the district said she did not follow proper grievance procedure.
Last Friday, she asked her attorneys to drop the lawsuit.
"All I want is McKinney I.S.D. to make things right. I wasn't looking for a large sum of money. I wasn't seeking vindication," Ward said.
Without her job, she said her family is suffering. She still wants to return to McKinney to complete her teaching certification. Now she said she is out of options and out of hope.
"It was almost like a dead end," said Ward. "But you win some, you lose some."
A lawyer for the district calls the lawsuit "frivolous." He wants the judge to award his side nearly $15,000 in attorneys fees.
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