Mark Lee, Alleged Student-Harassing Overton County Teacher, Sues Accusers
If you’ve been follering us for any amount of time you’ve likely seen us talk about OVERTON COUNTY teacher Mark Lee, who taught at Livingston Academy until his recent 90-day suspension without pay and eventual transfer – which was supposedly tied to years worth of sexual harassment allegations by multiple students stretching back to 2003. (He’s tenured, so he’s likely back on payroll now)
Here’s our interview with 2 of the girls and their mothers:
LIVE: LIVINGSTON ACADEMY (@LA_Wildcats) STUDENTS in OVERTON COUNTY speak out about their teacher MARK LEE – accused of sexual harassment for decades, just served a 90-day suspension… but is STILL A TEACHER. https://t.co/K2j99se1WN
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) July 28, 2020
It was also discussed at an Overton County school board meeting, during which multiple parents expressed their disgust that the school board had done little to protect the girls, and in fact had plans to transfer Lee to an elementary school until people hollered about it – yes seriously.
WATCH: “WHY DID THIS HAPPEN TO MY CHILD?”
OVERTON COUNTY: Livingston Academy @LA_Wildcats parents demand to know why MARK LEE is STILL A TEACHER after decades of sexually harassing students.
His suspension is over. D.A. BRYANT DUNAWAY didn’t charge him.
☎️ BOARD: 931-823-1287 pic.twitter.com/m08xMiS049
— Cookeville Holler (@CvilleHoller) July 16, 2020
There was also talk of him being placed at an Alternative School, which is almost worse because that’s often where the most vulnerable students end up.
The District Attorney Bryan Dunavant, who we spoke with, says he didn’t bring charges against Lee because he had no proof of physical touching (although one of the girls says he rubbed his head on her stomach). He also told us he “wouldn’t want his daughter in Lee’s class.
A mother of another one of the alleged sexual harassment victims of the LIVINGSTON ACADEMY teacher (Mark Lee) in OVERTON COUNTY Says she spoke up since 2017, nobody listened. Multiple girls signed sworn affidavits on that occasion, including a cop’s daughter.
Lee is now suing the families and those who have stood up for them for “damages arising out of the defendants’ pattern of intentional, malicious, tortious false and defamatory statements impugning the plaintiffs’ character and reputation and published to the world on social media” as well as “invasion of privacy”.
This guy has some nerve.
HERE IS THE LAWSUIT if you’d like to read it. It includes the posts below, which it cites as defamation.
As a reminder, the director of schools suspended him for 90 days related to all of this.
If you or anyone you know has stories about Lee, or witnessed any of his behavior, feel free to holler at us on social media or at [email protected] – and follow The Cookeville Holler for developments