Local Law Firms Home > Employment Law News > Wrongful Termination Results in Settlement for Teacher and Principal Wrongful Termination Results in Settlement for Teacher and Principal A federal trial began regarding a fired Massachusetts school principal Stavroula Bouris and teacher Charles Coughlin's wrongful termination claim. The two had filed the lawsuit against the town of Arlington, Massachusetts, stating that they were fired for allegedly having an affair. The plaintiffs insisted that the story had been fabricated by officials as retaliation from previously failed attempts to remove one of them from their position. The trial has come to an end as both plaintiffs and their attorney will be splitting a $250,000 settlement, down from an original $7 million that they had originally sued for. Though the trial had lasted under two weeks, the ordeal has been ongoing for almost six years. After initially being fired for allegedly having an affair, the teacher had successfully won his job back in 2009, but the victory was short lived as the ruling was overturned the next year. The decision to overturn the ruling had a negative impact on the principal's fight to reclaim her position. Bouris was never reinstated to her position as principal at Ottoson Middle School. Neither Coughlin nor Bouris were able to acquire another position in the school district despite denying any rumors of an affair. Some are expressing discontent that the settlement isn't coming out of the pocket of the individuals who harassed the plaintiffs, but the school district. "Once again two good people have had their lives turned upside down," says one woman. "It all started when we hired a superintendent that wasn't qualified and drove the system into the ground. It is a shame that the settlement isn't coming out of his pocket." The settlement will only amount to an approximate compensation of $13,888 per year for the past six years for Coughlin and Bouris. Nevertheless, there is still a sigh of relief from many that the six year long issue is finally over. Retaliation from co-workers or superiors in the work force can be devastating to your career. Contact one of our employment retaliation attorneys if you believe you have been wrongfully terminated or attempts to sabotage your career have taken place. |