Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Schools

School Board won't appeal $175,000 verdict

By MELANIE AVE
Published October 12, 2005

TAMPA - The Hillsborough School District's long battle with a former administrator who alleged widespread waste and mismanagement is over.

School Board members decided Tuesday not to appeal the $175,000 jury award to former general director of school operations Doug Erwin, who resigned in January 2002. Erwin said he was forced out after exposing shoddy work in school construction and maintenance.

U.S. District Judge James Whittemore said recently he would not overturn the jury award to Erwin. Board members had 30 days to decide on an appeal.

"The consensus was, this is the past and we've got a lot of things to do," said School Board attorney Tom Gonzalez, who recommended against an appeal. "We continue to believe we did nothing wrong."

In December 2004, a jury found the Hillsborough school district had violated Erwin's whistle-blower and First Amendment rights. It awarded him $175,000 in damages for pain and suffering. The jury, however, said the school district did not breach Erwin's employment contract, as Erwin had claimed.

Gonzalez said Erwin's attorney, Priscilla Ryan, has asked for about $1.6-million in attorney fees. He said his fees were $215,000.

In other business, several community members told the board they are opposed to a new club at Newsome High School known as the Gay-Straight Alliance. They asked board members to take a moral stand against the organization. Similar clubs are in place at other schools around the county.

Terry Kemple, a former Christian Coalition leader, asked the board to remove the club from Newsome because he believes its sole purpose is to allow students to talk about sex and sexual orientation, which he said violates school district policy.

Gary Noonan said board members should use "common sense" in dealing with the club.

"Where are we today with our children?" he asked. "What would the right thing be to do?"

As yet, board members have no plans or recommendations from administrators to remove the club from Newsome or other schools.

Meanwhile, the board okayed the $2.75-million purchase of 21 acres on Lutz-Lake Fern Road next to the Suncoast Parkway for a high school. School officials are negotiating for 77 acres in all.

The proposed site is sandwiched between the parkway and two existing schools, Martinez Middle and McKitrick Elementary. The high school would create the county's first complex with schools at every level. It is scheduled to open in August 2008.

The board also agreed to buy 7.7-acres at 4310 E Hillsborough Ave. for $1.4-million. The land will be used for a new elementary school.

Times staff writer Bill Coats contributed to this report.

[Last modified October 12, 2005, 00:18:12]