Jun 26, 2013 2 min read

A disagreement between a Ringgold High School principal and district officials over the handling of $8,790 in various district accounts led to his May 17 resignation, a settlement the former employee reached with the district indicates.

Dwayne A. Homa also agreed to return the money, mostly by using a lump sum he was due from the district for unused sick and vacation days through June 6 and also releasing the district from any wrongful termination liability, according to the record the Observer-Reporter received under a right-to-know request.

“As part of this release of claims, the school district shall withdraw any charges of any kind pending against Mr. Homa and agree not to issue any charges or claims in the future,” the district states in the settlement signed by Homa, district Superintendent Karen Polkabla and school board President Mariann Bulko.

Homa was suspended in an administrative action in April without a public explanation for the move. The settlement requires all parties to decline commenting if asked questions from the media about the resignation.

Homa could not be reached Wednesday. It could not immediately be determined if he has an attorney.

The settlement states he will never apply for a paid or volunteer position at Ringgold, and it permitted his two children to remain as students in the district at no charge for out-of-district students through the end of the 2012-13 term.

He also will receive district health care through the end of this month.