The Sweet Home School District has reached a settlement agreement with former Sweet Home Junior High physical education and health teacher Tim O’Donnell.
O’Donnell had filed an unfair dismissal complaint about his dismissal from the district in July, said Supt. Keith Winslow.
“We reached a settlement to get him to drop the appeal.”
Under the agreement, the district has paid O’Donnell $20,000, which is less than litigation would have cost the district, Winslow said.
“Because of that, Tim agreed to waive any appeal or future litigation against the district.”
The Sweet Home School Board voted 8-0 to dismiss O’Donnell in July following an executive session, which was closed to the public.
Oregon law allows news media representatives to monitor executive sessions, but prohibits them from reporting what transpired.
The board’s decision cited ORS 342.865, which deals with insubordination and neglect of duty, said Supt. Keith Winslow. He did not comment further on the decision at the time.
“One of the things that was a big concern of mine, during this hearing we were going to have to have kids, our students, come before this fair dismissal board and tell their story,” Winslow said.
“That bothered me, to put them into that kind of an uncomfortable situation and talk about one of their teachers.”