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Mother accuses principal of pushing her

The two had argued earlier, the woman said.

By ABHI RAGHUNATHAN
Published December 15, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Police are investigating a complaint against the principal of Bay Point Elementary School.

Tabatha Paige, a mother with two sons at the school, told police that principal Gaye Lively pushed her Wednesday as she was leaving with her children. The two had argued earlier that afternoon about pickup procedures, Paige said.

"I am very upset," Paige, 27, said. "If it had been a student who'd done something like that, they would have been arrested."

Police say they are still investigating. For them to pursue a misdemeanor charge of simple battery against Lively, authorities need to be sure that she intentionally meant to touch Paige in an unlawful manner.

Andrea Zahn, a spokeswoman for the Pinellas school district, said she could not comment because the district was conducting its own investigation. For now, Lively has not been suspended or placed on leave.

Paige said she went to Bay Point, 5800 22nd St. S, Wednesday to pick up her two sons, ages 9 and 7. She usually picks them up in her car, but decided to walk because she was having car trouble.

Paige said that Lively became upset and tried to keep her from leaving. Paige, her sister and her two sons decided to leave, she said. Then, Paige said, Lively walked up and grabbed her arm. Then, after Paige wrested her arm away, she says Lively walked up to her and pushed her left shoulder.

Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report. Abhi Raghunathan can be reached at araghunathan@sptimes.com

[Last modified December 15, 2006, 05:33:35]