In order to resolve her discrimination complaint against the Easton Area School District, a former teacher will get $75,000.
The settlement with Melanie Wilson was authorized by the school board on Tuesday. Lehighvalleylive.com used a right-to-know request to obtain a copy of the settlement.
Requests for comment were not immediately answered by Wilson’s and the school district’s attorneys. Confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions in the settlement forbid any party from talking about the case.
A student in one of Wilson’s online classes used the n-word against her, according to the lawsuit she filed last year. According to the lawsuit, the student reportedly threatened to burn her and her mother and lynch her. Wilson claimed that following the 2020 event, she experienced panic episodes.
According to the lawsuit, a safety plan did not stop Wilson from meeting the student in September 2022, despite the school district’s pledge to keep her away from the student.
According to the settlement document, in order to save money, time, and uncertainty associated with litigation, the school system decided to resolve the matter out of court.
The school system is required by the deal to acknowledge no wrongdoing.
Wilson receives $50,000 as part of the deal, while her Bethlehem-based lawyers, Broughal & DeVito, receive $25,000.
The Easton Area School District was represented in the case by lawyer John E. Freund III.
Wilson accepted a teaching position at York’s William Penn High School after leaving the Easton Area School District.
