Sexual harassment complaint filed against former Tuscaloosa City Schools Superintendent before his resignation

TUSCALOOSA, AL (WBRC) - Board of education members tell us that a sexual harassment complaint was filed against the former Superintendent of Tuscaloosa City Schools a month before he resigned.

An independent investigation was launched after the complaint was filed by a female city schools employee March 28 against Dr. Paul McKendrick.

In the complaint, the employee says McKendrick requested dates, including overnight trips, excessive lunch meetings and would send her text messages.

The woman says McKendrick told her he loved her and hoped the could have a relationship.

The investigation found McKendrick's actions didn't meet the legal definition of sexual harassment but there was evidence of "inappropriate workplace behavior between a supervisor and a subordinate."

McKendrick went on medical leave the day after the investigative report was released to the board. He resigned a week later. Board member Earnestine Tucker says they told Mckendrick to resign or be fired.

McKendrick was questioned during the investigation and he admitted to being flirtatious for a period of time but says it was not sexual harassment.

McKendrick cited the death of his brother as part of the reason he was resigning.

He had no comment on the complaint.