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Former GC Assistant Coach Files Suit Against School Board

From staff reports

[Johnson] alleges that he suffered and
continues to suffer “irreparable harm”
to his reputation as a result of begin
forbidden to enter school property at
Gate City High School or Gate City
Middle School.

A former Gate City assistant coach has filed a lawsuit against county school officials and the principal for disbarring him from school property.

Randy Johnson, who served as an assistant to Hugh Godsey, filed a suit yesterday morning in Scott County Circuit Court asking for a temporary injunction that would let him attend school functions.

In February, Johnson received a letter signed by Gate City High School Principal Michael Brickey and Scott County Division Superintendent James B. Scott that informed the former assistant coach he wasn’t allowed to be on property at Gate City High School or Gate City Middle School at any time without obtaining specific permission from the principal. The letter also said Johnson was prevented from being on any Scott County School System bus.

Any violation of the written notice would be considered trespassing as defined under Virginia Code Section 18.2-128, which is punishable as a Class 1 Misdemeanor.

According to Johnson’s suit, he is the stepfather of a student at Gate City High School and he acknowledged receipt of a letter from the defendants, which forbid his presence at the two schools and on any school bus.

Johnson asserted in the suit that the defendants, Scott, Brickey and the Scott County School Board denied his rights by forbidding him “free access to public property without justification.”

The suit states that Johnson has not been charged or committed any crimes that warrant the action taken by school officials. It further alleges that Johnson has had no hearing or excuse given to him by the officials to explain why he is prohibited from coming on school property.

Johnson also alleges that he suffered and continues to suffer “irreparable harm” to his reputation as a result of begin forbidden to enter school property at Gate City High School or Gate City Middle School.

Yesterday morning Superintendent Scott acknowledged school officials were working on a solution that would allow Johnson to attend graduation ceremonies and other events.

Johnson is being represented by Sid Rhoton and is seeking a permanent injunction, attorney’s fees and court costs and punitive damages.

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