Judge to Rule on Public Record Pertaining to Ozark Teacher

A Dale County judge may be the first in the state to rule on whether parts of a teacher’s personnel file are public record.

The Dothan Eagle submitted two public records requests to former Ozark City Schools superintendent Dan Payant for disciplinary action taken against D.A. Smith Middle School teacher Melinda Fenn, who disclosed a student’s medical disability to other students last school year. Fenn has taught in the school system for 18 years.

The student’s mother said her child underwent counseling and was temporarily transferred to another school system because of embarrassment.

http://www.dothaneagle.com/gulfcoasteast/dea/local_news.apx.-content-articles-DEA-2008-02-06-0006.html