Anna Kirkland has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, the Dodge County School District and Dodge County Board of Education, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation. The complaint was filed on December 29, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. Kirkland accuses the defendants of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1981 by allowing a hostile work environment and retaliating against her after she reported harassment.
The allegations stem from an incident on September 10, 2025, when Kirkland claims she was verbally assaulted by Alisha Cheeks, the Director of Nutrition at Dodge County Primary School. According to Kirkland, Cheeks berated her with derogatory comments about her Mexican heritage in front of coworkers and physically intimidated her by trapping her in a locker room for approximately thirty minutes. Kirkland reported this incident to both local law enforcement and school authorities but alleges that no action was taken to address Cheeks’ behavior. Instead, she claims that Superintendent Susan Long informed her that Cheeks attempted to have her fired following the report.
Kirkland further alleges that after reporting the incident, she faced continued retaliation from Cheeks. This included increased scrutiny of her work performance and attempts to prevent her from bringing her young son to work before daycare hours—a practice previously permitted without issue. She contends that these actions created an intolerable work environment leading to what she describes as constructive termination on October 31, 2025.
In response to these grievances, Kirkland is seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. She also requests punitive damages due to what she characterizes as willful misconduct by the defendants. Additionally, she seeks back pay, front pay, attorney’s fees, and injunctive relief to prevent future discriminatory practices within the school district.
Representing Anna Kirkland are attorneys Christopher B. Hall and Destiney Randolph from Hall & Lampros LLP based in Atlanta, Georgia. The case is presided over by Judge Dudley H. Bowen Jr., with Case ID CV 325-123.
Source: 325cv123_Anna_Kirkland_v_Dodge_County_Complaint_Southern_District_of_Georgia.pdf
