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Lakeville school board approves $30,000 settlement and dismissal in Kajun Netal lawsuit
Summary
The Lakeville Area School Board approved a settlement in Kajun Netal v. ISD 194 that requires a $30,000 payment covered by the districtinsurance and a dismissal with prejudice; the agreement does not include an admission of wrongdoing, district counsel said.
The Lakeville Area School Board on April 8 approved a settlement in Kajun Netal v. ISD 194 that requires a $30,000 payment covered by the districtinsurance and a court dismissal with prejudice.
Board members debated whether to accept the insurer-backed settlement and dismiss the litigation without an admission of liability. Board member Carly Anderson said she would vote no because she prefers the district to pursue discovery and believed legal counsel had told the board the district was on strong footing. District counsel told the board the agreement broadens the release language, consolidates fee provisions and provides a dismissal with prejudice so the claim cannot be refiled on the same facts.
The motion to approve the settlement was made by Director Paul Carbone and seconded by Director Bridal Nicholson. The chair called the question; the motion was approved by the board. The settlement requires the district to pay $30,000 and includes a stipulation that the parties authorize counsel to file an order of dismissal with prejudice. The agreement states it is intended to resolve a disputed matter and explicitly says it is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing.
Board members clarified the mechanics of the settlement during discussion. Several directors asked whether the settlement created any ongoing obligations for the district beyond the payment and dismissal; district counsel and the superintendent confirmed the agreement required only the payment and the dismissal stipulation. Director Anderson reiterated that the payment would be satisfied from insurance funds and said she opposed the settlement because she preferred additional discovery before dismissing the matter.
The board approved the settlement as listed as consent agenda item 4C and moved on to the next agenda item.
Ending: The board did not adopt any policy changes as part of the settlement and left other consent agenda items intact; the district will file the stipulated order of dismissal and the $30,000 payment will be processed through the insurer as described in the settlement documents.
