Some signatures on petition to investigate principal apparently

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Some signatures on a petition calling for<br>an investigation of an Oklahoma City high school principal are<br>false and other information is inaccurate, according to a published<br>report.<br>

Tuesday, September 21st 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Some signatures on a petition calling for
an investigation of an Oklahoma City high school principal are
false and other information is inaccurate, according to a published
report.

A check of 35 petition signatures turned up 18 people who claim
they never signed it, The Daily Oklahoman reported in today's
editions. The newspaper obtained the petition, which contains 681
signatures, from the Oklahoma City School District under an open
records request.

Roosevelt Milton, president of the Oklahoma City branch of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, cited
the petition at a Sept. 8 news conference in which he accused
Douglass High School Principal Sally Cole of using profane
language, changing grades, carrying a concealed weapon and
financial mismanagement. He demanded an investigation and said Ms.
Cole should be fired if the allegations were proven.

He later said he could prove Cole was hostile toward parents and
used profanity in front of students but had little evidence to
prove other claims.

Milton said Monday his organization did not verify the
signatures, but submitted it on behalf of parents who gathered
them.

"As far as I'm concerned, if one person has these problems then
that warrants NAACP activity, but if the majority of the signatures
are invalid, we would need to address that," Milton said.

Ms. Cole has repeatedly denied the allegations. Her attorney,
Garvin Isaacs, said he isn't surprised that there apparently are
problems with the petition.

The petition carries no legal weight.

Spencer resident Billie White said she and her husband, Roy,
didn't sign the petition although their names and address are
listed. She was stunned when told her mentally handicapped
daughter, Carla Sue, also was listed.

"That is really odd. I don't have any idea who would sign our
names on there, but Carla can't even read so I know she didn't do
it," Mrs. White said.

John and Bonnie Ware said they did sign the petition.

"I was told of a situation. I don't know if it is true or not,
but I believe it should be investigated," Mrs. Ware said.