Central Greene ordered to release federal settlement
WAYNESBURG – The state Office of Open Records ruled a federal settlement between Central Greene School District and a special education teacher who accused the former high school principal of coercing her into a sexual relationship must be made public.
The office announced its decision late Friday afternoon granting the Observer-Reporter’s right-to-know appeal asking the district to release the settlement agreement reached in February.
Danielle Golden of Dunbar filed the lawsuit in July 2016 against the district and former Waynesburg Central High School principal David Mason, claiming he 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 in August 2015 for unspecified reasons. The school board voted to fire him during a special meeting in December 2015.
The newspaper filed its right-to-know appeal April 17 and district officials asked for an additional 30 days to review the request. The district failed to respond by the May 18 deadline, however, effectively denying the request.
The newspaper appealed that decision to the state Office of Open Records, which reviewed the request for 60 days before releasing its ruling Friday that the district did not show why the settlement should not be released.
Both Superintendent Brian Uplinger and district solicitor Kirk King were expected to be out of the office this week and could not be reached for comment. Bethany Wagner, a Pittsburgh attorney hired to represent the school district as it contested the newspaper’s right-to-know request, did not return a phone message seeking comment Monday.
Board President Andrew Corfont said Monday the district’s insurer approved the settlement and the school board has not been permitted to review the terms of the agreement. He referred all other questions to King.
The district must now turn over the settlement by Aug. 21 or file an appeal in Greene County Court before that date.