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Schools

Academy denies ex-director's claim

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 16, 2005

CRYSTAL RIVER - The Academy of Environmental Science has denied former director Lisa Merritt's claim that she is owed $1,167 in wages.

Carl Hansen, chairman of the academy's board, said Wednesday that Merritt was adequately compensated.

A former academy board member had mistakenly told her that she was owed money for 45 extra hours she said she worked between 1999 and 2004, Hansen said.

Academy board members agreed Wednesday to consult former Hernando County schools attorney Karen Gaffney on legal matters that might arise from that dispute or pending investigations against the board by the State Attorney's Office.

The board made the decision on a recommendation from Citrus schools attorney Richard "Spike" Fitzpatrick.

In a recent letter, Fitzpatrick suggested that the board consult an attorney to settle a separate claim by Merritt that forbids academy teachers from using about 200 pages of instructional materials that she said she created between 1989 and 1998. Hansen said Wednesday that Merritt had waived rights to those materials because she developed them as part of her employment with the school. In late April, the board voted not to rehire Merritt after she was seen removing crucial materials from the school. Merritt now teaches at Lecanto High School.

[Last modified September 16, 2005, 01:35:22]