Court rules Colbert County principal’s contract with BOE remains in place

COLBERT COUNTY, Ala (WHNT) – A court ruled Tuesday that a principal would remain employed after he successfully appealed his firing by the Colbert County School Board.

Colbert County High School Principal Melcha Satchel was fired during a school board meeting on May 10. Afterward, he appealed his firing by taking the matter before the Colbert County Circuit Court in late May.

The following month, a Colbert County court ruled in favor of him . Court records state the school board failed to provide Satchel with proper notice of his firing and failed to show where he willfully violated policy before he was fired.

Following a hearing on Tuesday, a Colbert County judge ruled that since the court found the board of education failed to meet its burden when firing Satchel, his contract remains in full force and effect.

Colbert County School Board attorney Jon McGee told News 19 that Satchel has been on paid leave since April 18, so while he hasn’t been assigned a school – he is still employed by the school system and is still being paid.

The attorney said that the board decided to cancel Satchel’s contract after an extended meeting in May due to him sending a student to an alternative school without notifying the board or superintendent.

McGee added the board would be appealing this ruling.

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