Board delays decision on superintendent
meeting, an executive session, which is closed to the public, was called during which officials discussed the theft accusation.
On Dec. 2, 2018, a police report was filed that accused Day of theft from Belk in Hamilton Place Mall in Chattanooga, Tenn. Day allegedly went into the dressing room with several items of clothing, some on sale and some that were marked at full price, and swapped the tags on these items.
When an employee noticed, Day was apprehended in the store and police were called. The value of all the items was a little more than $300, and she was cited for theft under $1,000.
At the time, the school board chose to keep her in position as the superintendent under the assumption of innocence until proven guilty.
On March 8, 2019, Day appeared at the Hamilton County (Tenn.) General Sessions Court, and under the advice of her attorney, she pleaded “no contest.” A no contest plea is neither an admission nor denial of guilt. She was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $525.50, to stay out of Belk stores, and to seek counseling.
The following Monday, March 11, the Chickamauga school board held its monthly meeting and, after an executive session, issued this prepared statement:
“Superintendent Melody Day informed the Board of Education of an allegation made against her by employees of a retail establishment in Chattanooga, TN. Mrs. Day assured the board that she had done nothing wrong and that she had retained the services of legal counsel in order to defend herself.