JC Schools begins process to appeal circuit court loss

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City School District began the process to appeal a Cole County judge's ruling that the district must reinstate a fired administrator.

JC Schools spokesperson Ryan Burns confirmed the district filed a notice to appeal Tuesday afternoon. The action comes after the school board voted to file an appeal last week.

Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem overturned the board's decision to fire Tammy Ferry, the former instructional technology coordinator, over an alleged violation of JC Schools policy and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Ferry transferred hundreds of files, some of which contained students' protected information, onto a personal digital drive. She was suspended with pay in February 2019 and subsequently fired in July.

Beetem ruled Ferry did not disclose any information to a third party and was therefore innocent of any violations. He ordered that Ferry be reinstated and that the district forfeit her missed salary, benefits and all court expenses.