A former assistant principal has accused her previous employer of violating federal law by failing to address sexual harassment complaints and retaliating against her for reporting misconduct. The complaint was filed by Sheri McEachern-Anthony in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on March 17, 2026, naming Atlanta Independent School System doing business as Atlanta Public Schools as the defendant.
According to the filing, McEachern-Anthony alleges that she experienced sex discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She is seeking injunctive and declaratory relief, back pay and lost benefits, front pay, compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, and costs related to litigation.
The complaint outlines that McEachern-Anthony began working for Atlanta Public Schools (APS) in 2002. In 2018, while serving as District Elementary Social Studies Coordinator and an instructor at Sylvan Hills Middle School’s after-school program, she alleges that then-Principal Artesza Portee sexually assaulted her in his office. According to McEachern-Anthony’s account included in the filing: “Portee told McEachern-Anthony ‘I’ve really been wanting you for a long time’ and pressed her against a wall. Portee leaned down, kissed her, and started touching her breasts, exposing them.” She states that she immediately left his office following the incident.
The document further claims that APS administrators were aware of multiple allegations against Portee involving inappropriate conduct with female employees but failed to take prompt or effective remedial action. Instead, Portee was promoted within the school system. In March 2020, when APS considered promoting Portee to Principal at Frederick Douglass High School—where McEachern-Anthony had become Assistant Principal—concerns were raised by a board member about his interactions with women. An external law firm was hired to investigate but only interviewed one witness before concluding there was insufficient basis for further inquiry at that time.
McEachern-Anthony reported increased hostility from Portee after he became her supervisor at Douglass High School. She filed an internal complaint on June 22, 2020 detailing both the alleged assault and concerns about continued harassment or retaliation due to her knowledge of his conduct. The complaint alleges this internal report went unacknowledged by administrators for several weeks.
Subsequently, outside counsel conducted an interview with McEachern-Anthony regarding these events. According to the filing: “GT’s Investigators found that McEachern-Anthony provided credible evidence that Portee had sexually assaulted her.” Despite these findings—which also referenced corroborating witnesses—Portee received only a suspension for dishonesty rather than termination.
Afterward, McEachern-Anthony was reassigned from Douglass High School to a central office role and later transferred to another school within APS as Assistant Principal at Atlanta College and Career Academy (ACCA). The complaint describes how public attention increased following media coverage of her allegations in September 2021; students protested Portee’s continued employment during this period.
McEachern-Anthony asserts that after these events—and especially following public exposure—she faced ongoing workplace retaliation from ACCA leadership. This included negative performance reviews despite prior positive feedback; exclusion from meetings; removal of job duties; heightened scrutiny; required permissions for routine tasks; blame for administrative errors not attributable to her; placement on a Performance Development Plan containing alleged falsehoods; reassignment of responsibilities during medical leave; and communications designed “to humiliate” or pressure resignation.
In July 2023 she accepted a lower-paying teaching position at Fred A. Toomer Elementary School but was placed on administrative leave pending investigation into allegedly falsifying her daughter’s home address—a charge she denies based on district policy allowing children of district-level employees access to any APS school. On August 28, 2024 APS issued formal notice of intent to terminate her employment; she resigned instead.
The lawsuit claims violations under two counts: sexual harassment/discrimination under Title VII due to failure to discipline Portee appropriately or protect employees like herself from harm; and unlawful retaliation for engaging in protected activities such as filing complaints internally with APS management and externally through federal agencies or courts.
As remedies sought from the court, McEachern-Anthony requests judgment in her favor under all counts; compensation for lost wages including back pay with interest; front pay; damages for emotional distress; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; attorney’s fees; expert witness fees; costs associated with litigation; trial by jury on all issues so triable; and any additional monetary or equitable relief deemed proper by the court.
The case is represented by attorneys Eleanor Mixon Attwood (Georgia Bar No. 514014) and David J. French (Georgia Bar No. 410443) from Legare, Attwood & Ragan LLC in Decatur Town Center Two at 125 Clairemont Avenue Suite 515 Decatur Georgia 30030 (Civil Action File No.: not specified in excerpt).
Source: 126cv01455_Sheri_Mceachern_v_Atlanta_Independet_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Georgia.pdf
