Former bookkeeper settles suit against Dale County Schools, principal

The Dale County School Board has settled a lawsuit with a former Dale County High School bookkeeper who, after money went missing from the school, alleged high school principal Leavy Boutwell had sexually harassed her.

According to court records, the school board has agreed to pay former bookkeeper Melissa Meeks $3,900 to settle her federal lawsuit related to the sexual harassment claim, while Meeks has agreed to pay the board $3,400, the amount of money found missing from a high school account.

Meeks filed a lawsuit against the board on Jan. 17, 2007, the same day she had been required to answer questions about the missing funds.

Meeks denied taking the money in the lawsuit and alleged she was terminated from her job for refusing Boutwell’s demands and reporting harassment.

School board attorney Chad Stewart had filed at least one motion to dismiss Meeks’ lawsuit but, according to court records, the suit was settled to keep the board from incurring any more legal expenses.

“The board and Mr. Boutwell expressly deny all claims that Meeks has asserted, and otherwise deny any wrongdoing in this matter; and only enter this settlement agreement for the good of the school system and in an effort to purchase their peace and to bring an end to expensive and inconvenient litigation,” the settlement agreement read.

Under the terms of the agreement, Meeks can never seek or accept employment from the school board or list a board employee for any type of reference.