Popular Clerk Back on the Job at Decatur High

DECATUR, GA -- After a review of the situation, popular Decatur High School media clerk Susan Riley has been permanently reinstated.

"Based on careful consideration of the facts supported through the independent review, I have decided that Mrs. Riley will retain employment with the school district and will continue in the role of media clerk at DHS," David Dude, superintendent of City Schools of Decatur, announced Wednesday evening in a Facebook post.

Riley was fired unexpectedly by Dude in February. But, after a public-opinion backlash from many in the school's community, he reinstated her and placed her on paid leave while the decision was reviewed.

At that time, Dude said "significant accusations have been raised regarding the validity of the investigation" that lead to Riley's firing.

In the end, Dude said, questions about information he'd been given were too much to ignore.

"I made a wrong decision based on facts I believed were more clear than they actually were; for that I have apologized to Mrs. Riley and to the DHS staff and hereby apologize to the greater community for which I caused unnecessary strife," Dude said Wednesday.

An attorney for Riley, 61, said last month that she was harassed by coworkers before her firing.

Lawyer David Hughes said her firing came after she complained about the treatment and that there were several claims made against her by coworkers that were false.

Dude said "several significant changes in district structure, process and procedure" will be made in the aftermath of the incident.

He urged members of the Decatur High School community to come together despite possible ill feelings.

"This will continue to be a sensitive time for students, parents, and faculty as we work through this and related situations," Dude said. "Many people rightfully have strong feelings regarding this entire situation and/or specific aspects of it. I encourage everyone to model for our students constructive and productive approaches for communication and conflict resolution."