ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. -
Two longtime Cheatham County educators, a husband and wife, have been suspended from their positions and could soon be fired amid allegations they created a hostile work environment.
Another Cheatham County teacher who has since resigned from the district filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against Crystal and Dale McCarver alleging they created a work environment that included salacious Internet chat room discussions and racy photographs.
The McCarvers vehemently deny the allegations.
"None of it is true. None of the allegations are true," said Crystal McCarver, who worked as a special education supervisor. "I did nothing wrong. All of the allegations are false and completely baseless. I have nothing to be ashamed of."
Dale McCarver worked as a teacher at Sycamore High School.
"To this day we have not been contacted by the [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission] or the School Board," he said.
Both educators were suspended on June 15 for what the Cheatham County director of schools called "neglect of duty," "unprofessional conduct" and "insubordination."
The man who filed the complaint was a special education teacher who worked under Crystal McCarver.
In his EEOC complaint, the man, who Nashville's News 2 will not identify, indicated that in 2006, prior to his being hired, he and the McCarvers began an online chat that was sexual in nature.
The man also alleges that Crystal sent pictures of herself in various stages of undress.
According to the complaint, it was only when the man went in for a job interview at the school system that all parties recognized each other.
The man took the job and claims he spent the next five years in a hostile work environment.
"The chat is a work of fiction, he created that. That's not me chatting with him. I said none of those things. I sent no photos of myself," Crystal said.
Crystal McCarver also said she did not know the former teacher prior to his employment.
"I did not [know him] and I did not lay eyes on him until he came in for interview," she said. "I never had any problems with him."
Dale McCarver, who is also a county commissioner and a contributor to a local newspaper, told Nashville's News 2 Investigates he has been very vocal and critical of the school board and the director of schools.
He said he feels the suspension is a way for the "powers that be" to get even.
"Our beef is with the school board. Many of us in this county are concerned about the direction of the school board," he explained.
No charges were filed in the case.
Calls and emails submitted to the Cheatham County School Board by Nashville's News 2 Investigates regarding the complaint went unanswered Tuesday evening.
