The Cambridge-Isanti School Board approved a settlement with former employee and School Board Member Kyle Johnson during its March 23 regular board meeting.
“A settlement agreement and release of all claims relating to two separate lawsuits against the school district and individual board members was reached, pending board action, with former employee and School Board Member Kyle Johnson,” Superintendent Ray Queener said during the board meeting. “This agreement encompasses and extinguishes any and all existing or potential claims of Mr. Johnson against the school district and current and former board members.”
The settlement agreement was signed by Johnson and his attorney, Karen Kurth, on March 8 and signed by the board members on March 23.
Johnson was hired as a paraprofessional by the district in October 2014, elected to the School Board in November 2014 and took his oath of office in January 2015.
Johnson resigned as a paraprofessional with the district in November 2015, and the School Board proposed Johnson’s removal from the board in December 2015. Following a hearing from an independent hearing officer, the School Board voted to remove Johnson from the board in December 2015.
The district’s allegations of alleged misconduct against Johnson included providing alcohol to underage students and attending parties where underage drinking was taking place and not reporting the behavior.
Johnson filed his first lawsuit against the school district on Feb. 23, 2016, regarding the district’s response to a request for data that had been filed by Johnson. The lawsuit was filed after the school district denied several requests by Johnson and his attorney for government data pursuant to the Data Practices Act. On Sept. 2, 2016, Isanti County Judge Amy Brosnahan concluded the district must turn over investigative data pertaining to Johnson’s removal from the School Board; however, the district appealed that decision and on March 7, 2017, Chief Judge Edward Cleary dismissed the appeal filed by the school district.
Johnson filed his second lawsuit on April 8, 2016, against the school district and School Board Members Tim Hitchings, Gary Hawkins, Lynn Wedlund, Heidi Sprandel, Jenni Caulk and former School Board Member Darcy Winsor, regarding the board’s proposed removal action. He was removed from the board June 2, 2016.
According to the settlement agreement, the district’s insurer, Riverport Insurance, will pay $55,000 to the trust fund account of the law firm Barna, Guza & Steffen.
The agreement also states Johnson and the school district agree to a mutual non-disparagement. Johnson agrees not to make any disparaging or negative remarks, either orally or in writing, regarding the district, the district defendants, past or present School Board members, officers, employees or agents of the school district. And the district defendants, Queener and Director of Administrative Services and Human Resources Julia Lines, agree not to make any disparaging or negative remarks against Johnson.
The agreement also states that Johnson agrees to withdraw any pending data requests for information from the district and agrees not to seek enforcement of the court’s order from Sept. 2, 2016, to supply Johnson with investigative data related to Johnson’s removal from the board.
The agreement also has a “no wrongdoing” clause that states, “The parties understand and agree that this agreement and release is made in compromise of disputed claims, and that it is not to be construed as an admission of liability or wrongdoing on behalf of any party.”
Criminal case still underway
On Nov. 22, 2016, a criminal complaint was filed in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge charging Johnson, 24, with two gross misdemeanor counts of providing alcohol to a person or persons under age 21.
Johnson pleaded not guilty to both charges on Feb. 9. A settlement conference is scheduled for June 7, and if a settlement is not reached, a jury trial is scheduled to begin on June 12.