CAIRO — The Grady County Board of Education unanimously approved awarding a $50,000 settlement to a former Cairo High School guidance counselor on Tuesday. 

Former counselor Cindy Williams was terminated following a six-hour hearing in October 2016. 

Superintendent Dr. Kermit Gillard made the recommendation based on attorney advice to “avoid further legal expense of appeals and accept a full release of any and all claims,” in exchange for the settlement. 

“We are gratified that the Board accepted the recommendation of their superintendent and fine lawyer which will help right the wrong that was done to Ms. Williams,” Williams’ attorney, Julie Oinonen of Williams Oinonen LLC in Atlanta, said of the settlement. 

Along with the settlement, the Georgia State Board of Education granted Williams’ appeal, reversing the Grady board’s vote to terminate her employment. 

“On behalf of the Georgia Association of Educators, this is a win for fair dismissal and the constitutional right of due process of Georgia educators,” Oinonen said. “All local boards of education should follow the leadership of Grady County in affording their charter school teachers fair dismissal and the right to appeal to the State Board of Education.”

According to the state school board’s finding, Williams cited in her appeal the termination was “arbitrary, capricious, and violated due process based on the procedural deficiencies of the charge letter.”  

Her appeal also stated she was denied due process by “failing to consider proper issues and admit key evidence” and the decision was “arbitrary and capricious” and was “contrary to the weight of the evidence.” 

The state school board’s decision also stated Williams did not specify what key evidence was not admitted in the hearing. 

Williams was terminated from Cairo High in October. The hearing was conducted as a result of Williams fixing an alleged error on her daughter’s transcript. 

Williams’ daughter was an 11th grader at Cairo High School and Williams was her assigned guidance counselor. 

The alleged error — a grade for a French II course — was removed by Williams and she notified administration of the removal. 

“Guidance counselors are authorized to correct errors on a student’s transcript,” the state school board found, adding Williams and another guidance counselor did not receive instructions on the procedure for making changes to a student’s transcript. 

William’s daughter was enrolled in the first and second French courses at Cairo High’s online program in fall 2015, and was expected to complete the first course in the fall semester and the second in the spring. 

Williams testified at the October hearing she did not learn of her daughter not completing the first French course until April 12, 2016, before the school’s honor ceremony. 

“The credible evidence does not support a factual finding that (Williams) was not authorized to modify (her daughter’s) transcript,” the decision states. “There is no evidence in the record that (Williams) failed to act consistently with the instructions of her supervisor.” 

In response to Williams’ appeal, the Grady school board’s brief specified Williams violated Standards 4 and 10 of the Code of Ethics of the Professional Standards Commission. The two standards are for honesty and professional conduct. 

The state school board’s decision was issued June 15. 

“As an advocate for children, I have a responsibility to insure they receive competent service,” Williams said in a statement. “This decision is a win for them and the many educators who honor students with their talents.” 

“I thank (Georgia Association of Educators) for their support and guidance,” she added. “I thank the Grady County chapter of the NAACP for their support, as well as my family and friends. This was a win for justice and God is awesome.” 

On Monday, Williams was hired as a middle school and high school guidance counselor at Calhoun County Schools. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.