The Buckeye Local Board of Education adjourns after a special meeting called Monday. Photo by Alan Olson

CONNORVILLE — Following an extended executive session Monday night, the Buckeye Local Board of Education agreed to a payout of $70,000 in return for a former teacher dropping litigation against the district.

Angela Hicks, who had formerly served as director of federal programs for the district, and during this last school year as a teacher, tendered her resignation as part of an agreement with the district. In October 2017, Hicks brought a lawsuit against the school in Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas, alleging the district acted improperly during a recent reduction in force, by not following proper procedure during the process. The details of the board’s alleged conduct were not immediately known Monday night.

The board’s agreement gave a payout of $70,000 to Hicks, payable within 30 days of the agreement’s execution, as well as accepting her resignation from all position of employment, in exchange for a mutual release of all claims and a dismissal of litigation. The agreement also states that Hicks did not, to the board’s knowledge, engage in conduct which would require a report to the Ohio Department of Education.

The board members would not offer comment, although Superintendent Kim Leonard said the district would be more open for comment at a later time.

“The district is currently involved in litigation and will not comment about a potential resolution at this time,” Leonard said. “Once a resolution is formally memorialized, it will be public record and the district may comment at that time.”

The lump sum Hicks is to receive under the agreement is not a court settlement, but a mutually agreed amount derived from, among other things, her salary, lost wages and expected future wages.

The board convened behind closed doors for nearly 90 minutes Monday evening, after which the motion to accept the agreement was unanimously agreed upon. The motion was called by Joe Zelek, and seconded by Brooke Stingle.

No other business was considered.

Hicks did not attend the meeting and was unavailable for comment Monday.