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Teachers, Students Demand Ouster Of SF Principal Accused Of Bullying

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — A group of teachers, parents and their supporters spoke out against what they called a pattern of violence and administrative bullying in front of Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Middle School in San Francisco on Tuesday.

About 30 people attended the news conference at MLK to level scathing claims against the school's principal, Natalie Eberhard.

Toby Cain, a school security guard, referred to an alleged incident on campus back in February where he claims the principal sat on a child injuring him in the process.

"Not only was I present when she sat on the child, my injury was caused by her inappropriately interfering in my duties," he said.

Linda Cooks, a teacher at the school, backed the story up and said the student in question reported the incident to her. She said she was transferred after reporting the incident to the San Francisco Unified School District.

Nancy Filalao, a former school secretary of 27 years, said the same happened to her after she called 911 that day and after having followed up on the February incident.

"Nothing happened with CPS! (or) SFPD. I sent them a copy; Nothing happened! We went to the mayor's office and nothing happened," she angrily exclaimed.

Union Representative Judy Gerber said 17 staff members have been let go since Eberhard came in last school year.

"Teachers who have been outspoken about the problems at the school have been targeted," Gerber said.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

KCBS has put in multiple calls to the district, but they were not returned as of late Tuesday afternoon.

The district released a statement in support of Eberhard, saying she has implemented rules and procedures aligned with district expectations.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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