The principal of Calvin Coolidge High School in Northwest turned herself in to authorities late last week after learning a warrant had been issued for her in an assault matter.
Thelma Jarratt -- along with two staff members -- is accused of beating up a former employee in a parking lot during the school's Nov. 2 homecoming football game.
The Washington Examiner reported that the victim, Rashida King-Hicks, told D.C. police she heard Jarrett say, "Get her, bitch!" before the blows rained down on her.
The other two women involved in the beat down have been identified as Donna Pixley and Bridgette V. Stevens.
King-Hicks, who worked at Coolidge until about six months ago, said in The Examiner interview that she didn't know why she was attacked, but at the time of the incident she'd been watching the football game from the parking lot at 6315 Fifth St. in Northwest when she noticed Jarrett and Pixley standing nearby.
King-Hicks said in a police report that she greeted her former boss and that when Pixley began cursing at her, they started to argue. Pixley began to get closer, and a crowd gathered. That's when King-Hicks heard Jarrett order the other women to "get her," according information contained in the police report. Stevens then "came out of nowhere" and punched King-Hicks in the face, the police report further stated.
Jarrett, who has worked for District public schools for nearly 20 years, is best known for hiring the first woman in the United States to coach a high school varsity football team. However, when Jarratt was promoted in 2009, she was responsible for turning around the troubled high school.
With Jarrett and the two staff members -- all of whom have been charged with misdemenor assault -- having been placed on administrative leave, Aubrey Brown has been named as acting principal.
Meanwhile, Mayor Vincent C. Gray said Jarratt was supposed to have been a role model. Expressing his disappointment, he described her behavior as deplorable, adding that it's unlikely she will be reinstated.
Source: The Washington Examiner
