Settlement details sought in federal lawsuit against Central Greene
WAYNESBURG – The Observer-Reporter filed an open records request with Central Greene School District for the settlement agreement in a federal lawsuit filed by a special education teacher against the district and the former high school principal she accused of coercing her into a sexual relationship.
The newspaper filed the right-to-know request Monday to Superintendent Brian Uplinger, who acts as the district’s opens records officer, asking for the settlement terms and when the agreement was approved.
District solicitor Kirk King said Monday he could not release the terms “because there’s a confidentiality provision in the settlement agreement.” However, he said he planned to research the law to see what information could be shared and respond to the open records request accordingly.
Danielle Golden of Dunbar filed the lawsuit in July against the district and former Waynesburg Central High School principal David Mason, claiming he had engaged in “unwanted and unsolicited” sexual conduct with her while at the school. The lawsuit claimed the school district had knowledge of Mason’s past conduct, but allowed him to continue supervising her while taking no disciplinary action against him.
Mason worked in the district for nearly 15 years before he was suspended Aug. 21, 2015, for unspecified reasons. The school board voted to fire him during a special meeting Dec. 5, 2015.
Golden’s attorney, Samuel Cordes of Pittsburgh, said in February the case was resolved following negotiations with a court mediator. Online federal court documents show mediation was held Feb. 1 and a document filed Feb. 16 states the case was settled.
Cordes did not return a phone message seeking comment Monday.