BENSON, Vt. (AP) – A Vermont school district will pay $147,500 to a parent who was barred from meetings because some staff members were afraid of him.
Attorneys negotiated the settlement after a federal judge found the Addison Rutland Supervisory Union had discriminated against Marcel Cyr. He had been critical of the education provided his child.
Allen Gilbert, of the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, says the decision is a win for everyone who cares for education and democracy.
Cyr’s family had lived in Benson, but they have since left the town.
Superintendent Ron Ryan tells the Rutland Herald that if there are similar situations in the future they will probably hire a law enforcement officer for meetings.