WINDHAM — The School Board reached a $40,0000 financial settlement with a former administrator at Center School to stave off costly legal proceedings, the board vice chairman said.
The district reached the settlement last month with Cherrie Fulton, who had been hired to be the principal at the grades 3-5 Center School this year after serving as its assistant principal last year.
After an undisclosed dispute arose between the district and Fulton, she was placed on paid administrative leave in June.
Some people in town have questioned the wisdom of a settlement during tough economic times while the district is operating under a default budget.
"The answer, quite simply, is the cost to litigate would far surpass the cost to settle," said Ed Gallagher, School Board vice chairman.
No information was available on how much the legal costs were anticipated to be, or if Fulton may have been responsible for them had the district prevailed in court.
Gallagher also said prolonged litigation would have significantly hampered district officials' efforts to improve education at Center School, deemed a school in need of improvement by the state of New Hampshire.
Fulton also received $13,320 in unused vacation pay as part of the agreement. Under the agreement, approved by the School Board, and signed by Fulton and Superintendent Frank Bass, Fulton resigned her position as principal.
The parties agreed to settle all their disputes. In addition, Bass gave Fulton a letter of reference.
As part of the agreement, Fulton and school officials agreed not to speak ill of one another.
School Board Chairman Bruce Anderson declined comment because he had recused himself from board discussions on the Fulton matter.
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