Teacher Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Parents Over Grooming Allegations in Hilton Head Island Middle School Controversy

Teacher Sues Parents for Defamation Amid Controversial Claims

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

A cloud of controversy is hanging over Hilton Head Island Middle School as teacher Mardy Burleson has taken a stand against a group of parents. In a bold move, she has filed a defamation lawsuit claiming that these individuals falsely accused her of grooming her students.

The saga began back in January 2023, during Burleson’s first day of the new school semester. The computer science teacher introduced a 29-question survey designed to help her get to know her new students. The survey was voluntarily uploaded to Google Classroom, where parents could view the contents. It included questions about students’ preferred names, pronouns, and whether they wanted their pronouns to be used publicly.

However, things took a sharp turn when a concerned student showed the survey to their parents, David Cook and Susanna Cook. Alarmed by the contents, they reached out to the school’s principal. Following this, the principal advised Burleson to modify the survey to prevent further misunderstandings. Despite these efforts, the situation quickly escalated.

In court documents, Burleson alleges that the Cooks, along with other community members, began launching a series of public, defamatory remarks against her. These claims reportedly took a toll on her reputation and even instilled fears for her safety and that of her family.

For context, David Cook has been no stranger to conflict. He made headlines previously for a dramatic display at a school board meeting where he threw chicken feed to protest officials for not banning certain books from school libraries. He received a trespass notice from the Beaufort County School District after Burleson and a co-worker expressed safety concerns regarding his actions.

Joining Cook in the suit are several notable figures, including Thomas Beach, a Republican state representative, and Michael Covert, a former Beaufort County councilman. Both declined to comment on the lawsuit upon being contacted. Another key figure, Elizabeth “Ivie” Szalai, has also been implicated for spreading the accusations along with an online blogger named Corey Whittington, who asserted on his platforms that Burleson was involved in inappropriate behavior through the survey.

The word “grooming” typically refers to manipulative actions that a person might use to build a relationship with a child for exploitative purposes. And it seems the mere hint of such an accusation has turned the community on its head. Burleson, who is no longer teaching at Hilton Head Middle School but remains employed within the district, has found herself fighting not just for her career but for her reputation and integrity.

In a statement, Burleson expressed her determination to combat what she calls “intimidation and harassment” directed at educators. “I will no longer stay silent,” she declared, emphasizing that the words hurled at her have real consequences. She is represented by the Equality Legal Action Fund, a group dedicated to standing against extremism and misinformation.

With the state of education and discourse around gender identity being a hot topic nationwide, Burleson’s case ignites a major debate. Her concerns echo many educators who feel threatened by radical public sentiment. “Many educators in South Carolina are scared to face these extremists,” she noted, “but I will not be one of them.”

This defamation lawsuit between Burleson and the group of parents raises questions not just about classroom dynamics, but also the unfolding cultural battles that are reshaping schools across the country. As the dust settles and discussions unfold, all eyes will certainly be on the evolving narrative in Hilton Head Island’s education landscape.

As the matter heads into the courts, residents are left wondering how this will affect the community and the future of education in the area.