Principal Has Restraining Order Extended

Saturday, April 21st 2007, 2:55 pm

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A Muskogee County judge extends a temporary restraining order that allowed a popular principal to return to his job while his fight over his job continues.

A hearing Friday to determine whether the restraining order for Hilldale Principal Dewayne Pemberton would be made permanent was not completed and District Judge Jeff Payton ruled it would resume before June 1st.

The Hilldale school board voted March 31st to terminate Pemberton's employment after an emotional meeting in which hundreds of patrons attended.

His firing stems from a disagreement with Superintendent D.B. Merrill over Pemberton's alleged interference with a rule requiring coaches to obtain a commercial driver's license so they can transport athletes to games.

In seeking the restraining order, Pemberton argued that he was wrongfully dismissed and irreparable harm will be done if he is not reinstated.

The district argues the school board had the final decision in his firing, and Pemberton's only remedy is a jury trial on the issue of irreparable harm.

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