colleagues, over this entire period until her complaint of February 2001, neither she nor any of her colleagues reported this matter to the administrators for the District. Plaintiff, however, claims she secretly tape-recorded a conversation with Casher, in which conversation[4] she mentioned past sexual comments that allegedly he had made to her. Supposedly, Casher admitted making the comments, said that he was just joking and apologized. Further, he told plaintiff that if she did not accept his apology, she had the right to go downtown and file a formal grievance. Plaintiff did not do so because she says she thought the harassment would stop. This was in 1996.
On February 6, 2001, plaintiff telephoned Dr. Delores Hopkins, Assistant Superintendent for the Jackson Public School District, and told her aboutthe years of alleged sexual harassment. Plaintiff says she tolerated Casher's behavior all those years and failed to report his conduct to his superiors because she was intimidated by his position and fearful of being discharged. During this time, Harper was aware of the District's harassment procedures and understood the filing procedures.
In March of 2001, Harper filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC"), pursuant to Title 28 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(a).[5] In her complaint, Harper stated that she had received no support from the District. The EEOC issued a "right to sue" letter in August of 2002.
Thereafter, in October of 2002, the District transferred Harper from Call-away High School to Hardy Middle School. Casher was not her principal at the time. The principal then was Dr.