The Barrington School Committee, and Plaintiff Representative Attorney Gregory P. Piccirilli, briefed the public on a landmark settlement on the ongoing case of what the Coalition has coined The Barrington 3, Stephanie Hines, Kerri Thurber, and Brittany DiOrio.
Following countless evidentiary hearings, School Board “Trials” that at times had the appearances of a Kangaroo Court, grotesquely insensitive cross examinations by fired former Barrington School Board Attorney Sarah Rapport, the Barrington School Board completely capitulated … All 3 Teachers, if they choose, may resume teaching … Full Back Pay … Damages of 100K divided equally amongst the 3 plaintiffs … resumption of current professional grade, and expungement from any/all records referring to the entire incident. Additionally, as detailed below, attorney fees will be paid by The School Department
From The Barrington, Rhode Island School Committee:
Today the Barrington School Committee announced a resolution on litigation regarding the termination of three Barrington Public School teachers who failed to follow the School Committee’s former COVID-19 vaccination policy. The Barrington School Committee issued the following statement:
“Our District was navigating an unprecedented health pandemic and leaned on the important recommendations by the CDC and the Rhode Island Department of Health to ensure the safety of our students and school community. Our then-policy helped combat the pressing public health crisis of the time, while keeping schools open, and one that nearly all faculty and staff adhered to.
“In coordination with our legal counsel and Superintendent, we determined this ongoing, expensive litigation would likely continue for a lengthy period of time, and a resolution should be reached. We believe our Administration’s time, and our District’s financial resources, should be spent on the daily work and mission of Barrington Public Schools. Our School Committee looks forward to continuing to support this important work.”
The three teachers have the opportunity to return to teaching positions within the Barrington School District should they choose to do so, at the steps they would have been at had they worked continuously. Each individual will receive a payment of $33,333, along with back payments: Stephanie Hines ($65,000), Kerri Thurber ($128,000), and Brittany DiOrio ($150,000). Attorney fees totaling $50,000 will be paid to the teachers’ legal counsel.
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