REEDS SPRINGS, Mo. (AP) For the second time in two years, a southwest
Missouri school district has settled a lawsuit filed by a former principal.
Jodi Heckler alleged she was a target of retaliation after she reported sexual
harassment by a longtime superintendent in the Reeds Springs district.
The Springfield News-Leader reports Heckler was required to resign as part of
the first settlement four years ago. In a second lawsuit , she alleged criticism
by two Reeds Springs school board members made it difficult to find a new job.
The district paid $500,000 for the first settlement and $187,500 for the second
settlement, which was announced Tuesday.
The first settlement spurred several contentious board meetings, with some
calling for the ouster of superintendent Mike Mason. He repeatedly denied
wrongdoing and has never been criminally charged.
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