Judge tosses out case

Principal won't face assault charge

Charges against a former Charleston County principal accused of grabbing a teacher's arm during an argument have been dismissed.

Christy Thompson, former principal of Jane Edwards Elementary School, faced a simple assault charge, and her attorney asked the court to dismiss the charge based on a lack of evidence, according to a letter to schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley from Thompson's attorney, Andy Savage. The county attorney and police refused to prosecute a case against Thompson on the basis that the allegations weren't criminal, and the judge decided to drop the charges, Savage said.

The letter was sent to McGinley so she could consider what, if any, remedial action would be fair to Thompson, Savage wrote. McGinley moved Thompson to the assistant principal position at downtown Charleston Progressive Academy at the beginning of this school year. McGinley said that decision was a personnel one that had nothing to do with the ongoing legal proceedings, and she didn't expect to make any immediate changes in light of this new information. McGinley was glad to hear about the case's resolution.

"I don't want any of our employees involved in anything that would be considered a criminal incident," she said.

Some downtown residents were unhappy with McGinley's decision to place Thompson at Charleston Progressive because of the perception that Thompson was forced out of one school but that it was OK for her to be at a downtown school.

In response to a request for comment, Thompson e-mailed a note that stated: "I am happy this malicious persecution is over. My only desire is restoration in order to continue to eliminate the achievement gap of our precious jewels in Charleston County."

Reach Diette Courrégé t 937-5546 or dcourrege@ postandcourier.com.