The public cannot know what truly happened in legal disputes settled before any judicial proceeding determines who was wronged and who is responsible. Such settlements are often between private parties and the outcome has little effect on public policy. In others, however, the public’s interest gets shortchanged.
What’s The Point?
The Benton County School of the Arts’ settlement of a former principal’s sexual and racial harassment claims leaves questions about the leadership at the school.
The most recent example arose from the Benton County School of the Arts. The open enrollment charter school’s kindergarten through eighth-grade principal, Julia Rice, last year filed a complaint of sexual and racial harassment against the school’s superintendent, Paul Hines.
Rice, an American Indian, complained to board members Hines had referred to her as an “Injun who can’t hold her firewater” in both private and public. She also claimed Hines’ advice was “you need to shake your boobs at the state board so they will renew our charter.” Rice said she faced a lack of respect and repeated threats of being fired and other complaints. Her attorney said things got worse after she spoke with board members. Hines became interim principal after Rice filed a formal complaint with the board last November.
The board in February quietly approved a settlement with Rice of $35,000, plus the remaining pay of her contracted salary of $71,114 a year. Of course, the settlement includes a clause preventing either side from commenting on the matter. The school would not release documentation of the settlement until the Arkansas attorney general said the public’s right to know about the settlement outweighed anyone’s right to privacy on personnel matters.
In this case, the school’s board isn’t that much different from other school boards - the best outcome, from their perspective, is to wrap up embarrassing and troubling circumstances with a quiet settlement that ensures the truth cannot possibly become known to the public. It certainly should give potential employees or students something to consider.
From a legal standpoint, the settlement makes perfect sense. From a public relations standpoint, it leaves questions. That can only hurt the public trust in an institution that relies on it.
The board recently voted to change its name to the Arkansas Arts Academy, after paying a marketing firm $32,000 to help with a new image. Not everything, however, is so easily swept away.
WALMART GETS STONE
Van Stone, in his second term as prosecutor in Benton County, has prosecuted some of the most heinous crimes committed in Benton County’s history. So, when time came for him to make a professional change, was it to become a judge? Work at a private firm?
No, it’s Walmart.
Stone, 44, announced his intention to not seek a third term back on Feb. 24, opening day of the weeklong filing period during which anyone who wanted to replace him would have to file for the office. Two candidates got into the race — Nathan Smith, a deputy prosecutor, and Kimberly Weber, a Rogers attorney.
Apparently, Walmart has reached a point where it offers attorneys more than always low paychecks. Stone probably would have easily won a third term, having demonstrated steady leadership in the position of prosecutor. He’s not the first public official in Northwest Arkansas to be lured to the private sector by the retailer.
We wish Stone well in the new endeavor. Although we’re not fans of filing week announcements because it looks like an attempt to manipulate the campaign for the next prosecutor, it’s a decision for each officeholder. Stone appears to be leaving the office in good shape to continue under an appointed interim prosecutor and the person elected for the next term.