A former elementary school teacher in Rhea County has filed a federal lawsuit against the school district, claiming she was wrongfully terminated and discriminated against due to her disabilities.
Martha McClendon, a tenured educator, alleges she was falsely reported as a “threat to mass violence” while cleaning out her classroom over the 2023 Christmas break. According to the lawsuit filed June 17th, the report led to law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security becoming involved—a situation McClendon describes as traumatizing and unjustified.
McClendon’s suit outlines a history of chronic medical diagnoses, including lupus, scleroderma, fibromyalgia, depression, and ADHD. It claims that although the school initially made accommodations for her health, that support deteriorated over time. The lawsuit describes increasing workplace hostility, exclusion from school activities, and acts of harassment that intensified after McClendon reported concerns to administrators.
In one instance, McClendon claims a school therapist—also the wife of the school’s vice-principal—entered her classroom unannounced and asked intrusive questions about her mental health and medications. Another allegation details that a student physically injured her in class, but the school allegedly failed to provide assistance. The lawsuit also states that a fellow teacher physically rammed into McClendon in the hallway, despite her known medical limitations.
These incidents, the suit argues, contributed to what McClendon calls a “constructive termination” of her employment. She ultimately left her position, citing an unsafe and hostile work environment.
The case is pending in federal court. As of publication, Rhea County Schools has not issued a public response.