Ashley Payne, Teacher in Facebook case loses ruling

Siding with a local school district, a Barrow County judge has ruled against a former teacher who lost her job because of her Facebook posting, GA Daily News reports.

Ashley Payne had sued to get her job back, and the Barrow County schools had filed a motion for summary judgment.  Superior Court Judge Chief Judge David Motes heard arguments in the case in August and recently retued his decision.

Payne resigned from her job at Apalachee High School in August 2009 after someone claiming to be a parent sent an email complaining about pictures of Payne smiling while holding alcoholic drinks during a trip to Europe.

Payne had also written she was headed to a game of "Crazy Bitch Bingo" at a Midtown restaurant.

Payne said she was pressured to resign over the email. The district said she volunteered.

The woman, now a graduate student at the University of Georgia, subsequently filed suit, asking the court to determine that she was entitled to a due process hearing. She also sought back pay and money for legal fees.