Board approves settlement in Jane Doe v. Rowan County Board of Education, authorizes superintendent to sign

The Rowan County Board of Education returned to open session and approved a settlement in Jane Doe v. Rowan County Board of Education, civil action number 23CI9150, and authorized the superintendent to sign the agreement, meeting speakers said.

The chair read the settlement motion aloud: "To approve the settlement agreement in Jane Doe versus Rowan County Board of Education, et al, civil action number 23CI9150, presently pending in the Rowan County Circuit Court, and to authorize the superintendent to sign the above referenced agreement. A copy of which is on file in the superintendent's office." The speaker then asked for that text to be put into a motion and the motion was seconded.

According to the meeting record, the motion to approve the settlement was made and seconded (the transcript records a motion by "Brenda" and a second by "Gabe"). The chair called for a voice vote; the board responded "Aye," and the chair announced the meeting was back in open session and then that the motion had passed. The transcript does not provide a roll-call tally or dollar amounts tied to the settlement.

The chair also said that any questions or statements from the board would come through the superintendent and suggested directing questions to "Mister Roe." The transcript does not specify Mr. Roe's role beyond that instruction. A copy of the signed agreement was said to be on file in the superintendent's office.

After the settlement vote, an unidentified speaker moved to adjourn, the motion was seconded, and the chair called for an aye vote to adjourn; the meeting was adjourned.

Next steps: the superintendent was authorized to sign the settlement agreement; the transcript indicates a copy is held in the superintendent's office and that inquiries should be directed to Mr. Roe.