“This settlement sends a very clear message that prevention of sexual abuse in schools must be at the forefront of every school system’s efforts.You asked. Because of their courage, their endurance, and their commitment, this settlement was possible,” said Mary Charles Amerson with the Lea/Schultz Law Firm. “These men deserve our praise and gratitude. The agreement asks that the district release a public report of its efforts to 'improve the school’s policies and practices with regarding to Title IX compliance and sexual abuse prevention.' The settlement also calls for the school district to make 'programmatic commitments' to include training for students, staff and administration on recognizing and reporting sexual abuse. The settlement will be paid by the district's insurer and will not impact the district's budget, New Hanover County Board of Education chairman Pete Wildeboer said in the release.

Kelly was arrested in February 2018 and eventually pleaded guilty to 59 felony sex crimes in June 2019. “With this settlement, these 14 survivors of Kelly’s abuse will be able to get the treatment and closure that they so desperately need,” said Joel Rhine of the Rhine Law Firm, P.C. The litigation alleged the school district was negligent and failed to prevent Kelly's abuse. Kelly was a chemistry teacher at Laney High School and Isaac Bear Early College High School in Wilmington.

Four years of litigation came to an end Friday when the New Hanover County Board of Education reached a $5.75 million settlement with the plaintiffs in a civil lawsuit claiming sexual abuse and exploitation by a former New Hanover County Schools teacher.Īccording to a mutual announcement from the New Hanover County Board of Education and the plaintiffs' attorneys, the settlement resolves claims based on Michael Kelly's sexual misconduct.

Download online school