GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – A former Gadsden County High School (GCHS) principal recently filed a federal lawsuit against the Gadsden County School Board and Superintendent Elijah Key, alleging he was retaliated against after reporting allegations that a school resource officer sexually harassed two students and after speaking publicly on school matters.
In the complaint filed Monday, former GCHS principal Marlon Ball alleges the retaliation included his reassignment from the high school, surveillance, an undisclosed investigation, disciplinary actions, threats to reduce his pay, exclusion from meetings and trainings, and the decision to not review his administrative contract.
Ball claims those actions violated Florida’s Whistleblower Act and his First Amendment rights.
The lawsuit went on to reveal that the former principal reported back in November that two students told him “an on-campus law-enforcement officer had sexually harassed and propositioned” them.
According to the filing, Ball documented the allegations, reported them to the Florida Department of Children and Families and district leaders, including Superintendent Key and later cooperated with a State Attorney’s Office investigation.
The accused officer was arrested earlier this month on multiple felony charges related to alleged conduct involving students, the complaint states.
Though the complaint did not identify the on-campus officer, Gadsden County school resource deputy Sedale Canidate was arrested nearly two weeks ago on sexual battery charges, around the same time as the arrest referenced in the court document.
Court papers show that Canidate is accused of having sex with a minor while on duty and soliciting minors for sexual favors in exchange for a vape pen. His arrest documents revealed various details about the allegations from several girls between the ages of 15 and 16 that date back to 2024.
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Ball alleges that Superintendent Key became hostile after the report in November and removed him from his position as principal in December before the school board formally approved the reassignment the following month.
WCTV previously reported Ball’s reassignment in December from serving as a principal at GCHS to transferring to Carter Parramore Academy/Gadsden Central Academy as an Administrator on Special Assignment.
At that time, the school district said Ball had been reassigned due to a “personal matter” and could not share why he was reassigned.
Furthermore, the lawsuit claims Ball filed a Whistleblower complaint with the district in January, alleging the superintendent exceeded his authority and violated Florida’s Sunshine Law.
The complaint went on to allege that Key later initiated an investigation into Ball, removed his access to school systems, excluded him from principals’ meetings and professional development, issued written discipline and reprimands, monitored him through campus cameras and ultimately declined to recommend him for reappointment.
Specifically, in an April meeting “at which Ball’s attorney was present by telephone as a witness, Key renewed his threat” and stated that he had been monitoring Ball through campus camera systems, the complaint wrote.
Ball claims the superintendent told him he did not need to provide a reason for the decision. Ball contends the district never documented any performance deficiencies or completed a required evaluation before removing him from the principal role and argues the reasons given for the personnel actions changed over time.
He also alleges the nonrenewal has harmed his ability to secure similar employment in education.
Ultimately, Ball’s lawsuit seeks reinstatement or front pay, compensatory damages, lost wages and benefits, punitive damages against Key, attorney fees and other relief.
As of Wednesday afternoon, WCTV has reached out to the district’s attorney and is waiting to hear back.
This story will be updated as we learn more.
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