Rogers Charter School Pays For Confidentiality Breach

ROGERS -- Another chapter in the sexual harassment allegation brought by a former Benton County School of the Arts principal unfolded during a school board meeting Tuesday.

Facing a breach in a confidentiality clause in the settlement, board members voted to pay damages of $35,000.

Julia Rice, former principal, accused Paul Hines, superintendent, of sexual harassment in November. A settlement between the charter school and the former principal was formalized in February.

A confidentiality clause included in a sexual harassment settlement was designed to be strong, George Spence, school attorney explained during Tuesday night's meeting.

"I didn't dream that we would breach it," Spence said.

Spence said during the meeting he could have defended the sexual harassment claim, but a settlement was more expedient. Both parties requested a confidentiality agreement with a $35,000 penalty.

The terms of the settlement were disclosed through a Freedom of Information Act request.

A Facebook message sent by an administrator as a point of clarification the day after a news article appeared noted an independent review had cleared Hines.

In the report, released under a second Freedom of Information Act request, Hines denied making sexual or racial comments to Rice, who is Native American. The report also indicated Rice thought she was about to be disciplined and left the school the week before filing a sexual harassment complaint.

"The report basically left it as a swearing contest," Spence said

Because of potential litigation cost he advised them to pay the $35,000. Jim Keast, board member, asked if there was a possibility of negotiating with a counter offer. The counter offer would take time, board members said. The $35,000 settlement would require a full release that would lift the confidentiality agreement, Spence said.

Board members sat in silence around the table after his suggestion.

Keast recommended the board pay the settlement.

"It's sad that we're in this situation," said Howard Alsdorf, board member.

There was information that wasn't in the paper that they cannot discuss, he said. He seconded Keast's motion.

The motion passed with Alicia Knotts, board member, voting against it.

Board members shook their heads after the vote with several expressing their reluctance to settle a second time.

"Just buy a new Mercedes and go home," Keast said after the vote.

An argument broke out after the meeting between some of the spectators.

The confidentiality agreement still applies for now, Spence told board members. He wouldn't comment on the breach after the meeting, but deferred questions to a records request.

NW News on 04/17/2014

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