Southpinellas: Mother accuses principal of pushing her

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

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by allen	12/22/06 10:51 AM
oh my gosh. this is almost as bad as that one lady who sued mcdonalds because she spilled coffee on her lap and it was hot. I could probably understand it if Paige had hemophilia, but she doesn't! She didn't even break any bones! come on, people!

by Marilyn	12/16/06 10:02 AM
This is the most preposterous libel I have ever read in the StPeteTimes! Mrs. Lively is the epitomy of professionalism. How dare you print such a thing without verifying the facts!I hope Mrs.Lively seeks legal recourse against the Times!

by Lisa	12/15/06 08:13 PM
This is journalism? I was disappointed to see that the St. Petersburg Times would print a such slanderous article. Does it publish every parent's complaint? I plan on canceling my subscription since I now know that I can't trust what the Times prints

by Peter	12/15/06 08:09 PM
Gaye Lively is one of the best principals in PC. She is an intelligent, caring, experienced and highly professional school leader. There is not an ounce of truth to this parent's malicious story. Shame on you for publishing this slanderous article.

by Gail	12/15/06 07:59 PM
I'll wait to see if the woman sues before judging her to be a gold digger. With all the frustration working in the district it wouldn't surprise if another staff member lost their cool. I've seen it before, although not physical.

by K.E.	12/15/06 06:07 PM
Altamase, is it that simple? Or is it easy to cry wolf when you don't like that someone called you on breaking the rules. I'm not saying she didn't touch this parent, but some people are already assuming she did. Let the investigation run its course.

by Mac	12/15/06 05:41 PM
NOT a credible accusation, and definately Not a believable story.Wait and see.This &^%$# thinks she's on a fast track to wealth.

by Ann	12/15/06 05:24 PM
I have seen this woman call to her kids to run infront of the buses while she sits in the street in her car. Mrs. Lively was protecting those kids from harm and the mother got busted for breaking the rules. The Times should not have published this.

by Jimmy	12/15/06 04:27 PM
Sounds to like there are rules that are laid out there to protect children and family. I would guess she was trying to keep her from breaking the rules. Lets be honest here, there is a lack of common sense from one of them, who i don't know...?

by Mary	12/15/06 04:11 PM
Schools have very strict policies now regarding walkers crossing only in crosswalks (to keep students out of the paths of cars or buses). I'll bet Ms. Lively was trying to enforce that...its doubtful that she pushed a parent. But, who knows??

by outraged	12/15/06 03:30 PM
Unbelievable that the newspaper can publish this type of report with no confirmation of wrongdoing of the accused. How irresponsible! Maybe someone should check out the accuser. Quite possibly a "real" story will surface.

by concerned	12/15/06 03:24 PM
This is a very negative report on the Principal. You should check out the facts before you print a story like this to damage a supporative Principal. Mrs. Lively gives every student the same care and she makes or shows no difference between students.

by Altamease	12/15/06 03:13 PM
It's simple the principle should not have put his/her hands on that women. And I think that the principle is getting off easily cause if it were me it would have been a badd day .

by Kara	12/15/06 02:33 PM
Given the safety issues surrounding taking children off campus, I'm sure the Principal was following procedures. If Lively was concerned enough to try to restrain this parent, I applaud her. I hope my son has a principal who'll fight for his safety.

by John	12/15/06 01:41 PM
Being a parent, and volunteer at BPE, and knowing Mrs. L. There is absolutly no way this event happened as the mother states. The after school rat race is a bad one. There are rules that NO ONE can cross into the bus path. This parent wants $$.

by a parent at Bay Point	12/15/06 01:23 PM
Having children at Bay Point, I would never believe Mrs. Lively would ever touch anyone in this way. She is a very loving, gentle person. Many parents refuse to follow directions and she is only trying to keep the kids safe.

by Jim	12/15/06 11:28 AM
Wah! Wah! Wah! Mr. Policeman, that women touched me and pushed me. My injuries are so bad I am going to sue the school board! if this did happen at all. Grow up lady and push her back or take your ball and go home!! oops, I mean your kids.

by Chris	12/15/06 11:16 AM
I think there's more to this story then what we've actually read.

by Tired	12/15/06 11:15 AM
WOrking in the district everyone should be treated the same. If she(Lively) did touch the parent she should be given the same as if she had been support staff,She should be out on leave until they finish investigating.

by Stephanie	12/15/06 10:49 AM
This story has way too many holes in it to be credible. I am sure the principal was just doing her job and the parent is one of those "sue" happy people.

by citizen	12/15/06 10:08 AM
no educated person conducts themselves this way....I don't believe this story at all...only ignorant people use force

by parent at baypoint	12/15/06 10:02 AM
My kids attend Bay Point Elementary. I can not imagine Mrs. Lively ever touching a parent. She is a great principal and is great with the kids. The story is very vague on what happened. Mrs Lively always is very respectful. Hard to believe this story

by paul	12/15/06 09:45 AM
terri -- caps off please. there is no need for yelling here.

by TERRI	12/15/06 08:56 AM
I AM LITTLE CONFUSED AS TO WHY THE PRINCIPAL WANTED TO DETAIN THE MOTHER, UNLESS THERE WAS SOME REASON OR IF THE MOTHER ATTEMPTED TO PICK THE CHILDREN UP EARLIER THAN DISMISSAL. THERE SEEMS TO BE MORE TO THIS THAN THE MOTHER IS DISCLOSING.

by citizen	12/15/06 08:54 AM
Hmmmm...that accounting sounds very doubious.Sounds like another person just looking to cash in at the expense of the school board and taxpayers.The fact that "the police are still investigating" says that the story is doubted by others as well.

by Ted	12/15/06 08:53 AM
It may be true. A frustrated Principal. Horrible classroom. No learning. Parents:not their kid-principal:handle it. You can not teach. No support. School Board: be super stars. Give discipline problems "V" to get rid of them.

Mother accuses principal of pushing her

The two had argued earlier, the woman said.