posted May 17, 2008
Former Brainerd High School Assistant Principal will keep his job, but take a teaching position under a settlement with the county schools.
The County School Board had voted 7-2 in February to uphold his termination.
Supt. Dr. Jim Scales had fired him, saying he had used pepper spray to break up a fight at the school, though he had been told not to use pepper spray.
The settlement, which avoids a hearing before the board that had been expected to last four days, includes a 20-day suspension without pay.
Mr. Barber is to attend HCDE-approved student disciplinary training.
Attorney Bill Pickering said despite the settlement, "Dr. Scales continues to maintain that the charges against Mr. Barber are true, and Mr. Barber continues to maintain that the charges are untrue."
He added, "Recognizing that the outcome of the hearing before the board was uncertain, a compromise made sense for both sides."
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