Lowndes County School District and longtime administrator Charles Jackson have reached a settlement in Jackson”s suit against the district.
During a pretrial conference on Jan. 12, the parties agreed to a settlement. But “its terms are subject to a confidentiality clause in the agreement itself,” Silas McCharen of Jackson, counsel for LCSD.
“That”s part of the agreement that we struck with Mr. Jackson, is that neither party can say anything about the terms of the settlement other than that an agreement has been reached and the terms are subject to a confidentiality agreement,” McCharen said Monday.
Jackson, of Starkville, assistant principal at West Lowndes High School since 1994, filed suit in U.S. District Court in July 2008, accusing LCSD of racist practices. The district, his suit said, intentionally maintains white principals at its predominately white schools — New Hope and Caledonia campuses — and black principals at its predominately black schools — West Lowndes campuses.
Jackson, a white male, was passed over for the interim principal and permanent principal position at West Lowndes Middle School when former principal Robert Smith was elected mayor in 2006, in favor of a black female. He also was passed over for the lead position at West Lowndes Elementary School, in favor of a black male.
Jim Waide of Tupelo, attorney for the plaintiff, also would not release the details of the settlement. While he believes such confidentiality agreements are illegal on the part of public bodies who handle public funds, Waide said it”s in the best interest of clients to sign the agreements.
The case was slated to go to a jury trial, Feb. 8.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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