Rochelle I.S.D. Board authorizes mediation in program-management disputes

The Rochelle Independent School District Board on June 16 authorized legal counsel, working with Superintendent Dr. Matthew Fields, to initiate mediation and engage in settlement discussions regarding claims under the District's Program Management Services Agreement.

Trustee Tiffany Shadd moved that the board "authorize legal counsel, in coordination with the Superintendent to initiate and pursue mediation regarding claims and disputes arising under the District's Program Management Services Agreement, to engage in settlement discussions and/or to take such other actions as are reasonably necessary to facilitate mediation and potential resolution of the disputes, and to bring any proposed settlement agreement to the Board for final consideration and possible approval." Trustee Tommy Howell seconded; the motion carried 5-0. The authorization explicitly contemplates selecting a mediator and taking related actions, subject to final board approval of any settlement.

The transcript does not record details of the claims or the parties to the Program Management Services Agreement; the motion delegates authority to counsel to pursue negotiated resolution and requires that any settlement be presented to the board for final approval.