Saturday, July 03, 1999
Teacher gets settlement but no apology
Superintendent, board: It's over
BY CHRISTINE WOLFF
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONTGOMERY — A sexual discrimination lawsuit has been settled, ending a three-year dispute between Sycamore School Superintendent Bruce Armstrong and a former employee.
The settlement amount is not being released, but district officials said the money was paid by its insurance company and did not come from district funds.
“There is a settlement, and it is confidential,” said Gary Winters, attorney for Mr. Armstrong and the Sycamore School Board, which was also named in the lawsuit.
Abby Voluse, who resigned in July 1995 as Sycamore's director of special-education programs, filed the federal lawsuit in May 1996. She quit, according to the lawsuit, because discriminatory behavior toward her by Mr. Armstrong made it difficult to do her job.
Ms. Voluse, now employed by the Madeira City School District, said Friday she was happy with the settlement.
“It seemed like the best thing,” she said.
The lawsuit alleged that Mr. Armstrong created “an intolerable working environment which was intimidating, insulting and abusive to women in contrast to the working environment for men.” It alleged that Mr. Armstrong made hostile remarks and sought to humiliate Ms. Voluse.
Ms. Voluse was Sycamore's special-education director for six years, after being hired as a teacher in 1979. Mr. Armstrong began as superintendent in July 1994.
In October 1997, U.S. District Judge Herman Weber denied a request from Sycamore's attorney that the case be dismissed for lack of evidence and ruled that the case could go to trial.
The settlement does not imply wrongdoing by Mr. Armstrong, officials said.
“I never believed he did anything wrong,” said Peter Hershberger, board president. “The settlement is sort of a vindication. ... I'm thrilled it is over. I think the entire board is relieved it's over.”
Tamara Stenzel, Ms. Voluse's attorney, said she disagrees the settlement clears Mr. Armstrong, but could not comment further.
Mr. Armstrong, who denies the lawsuit's allegations, described the settlement as “a business decision.”
“It cost less to settle than to litigate. It would have cost the board tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees to go to court,” he said. “I did nothing wrong.”
The lawsuit “has no bearing on my opinion of the job Dr. Armstrong has done,” said Mr. Hershberger.
“I think he runs a good ship and treats people well,” he said.
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