Osterling was on suspension since September 2018 from the Butler County school system after Lakota Board of Education members unanimously approved a resolution at that time stating their intention to fire her.
Soon after the board’s resolution, Osterling filed a lawsuit in federal court against Lakota contending she had been targeted for her public advocacy for changing the district’s policies regarding transgender students.
But after months of state-mandated mediation hearings and delays, the board and Osterling came to a settlement prior to Monday evening’s board meeting.
The school board voted 4-0, with member Lynda O’Connor absent.
Osterling told the Journal-News Tuesday the settlement prohibits her from commenting.
In a statement released by the school board, members said that “in order to resolve the outstanding litigation matters with Ms. Emilly Osterling, the board agreed to rescind the resolution to terminate Ms. Emilly Osterling in exchange for her resignation, dismissal of her grievance, and dismissal of the federal lawsuit. An additional payment ($100,000) was agreed to by the district’s insurance company in order to resolve the remaining claims.”
The Journal-News will continue to seek more information and reaction to this settlement.
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