LIVERMORE FALLS — Directors of Regional School Unit 36 voted 10-2 Tuesday to authorize the superintendent to resolve a human rights claim against the school district.

The board approved the motion to authorize Superintendent Judith Harvey “to enter into an agreement, resolving without admission of liability, claims under the Maine Human Rights Act and Title VII arising under a previous administration and to authorize the payment of $16,500 toward that settlement.”

Director Jennifer Pooler of Livermore Falls read the written motion, which was seconded by Director Rod Newman of Livermore.

Directors Denise Rodzen of Livermore Falls and Diane Gould of Livermore opposed the motion. Director Betsy DuBois was absent.

Rodzen said after the meeting that she just objected to the motion but wouldn’t say why. Gould was unavailable for comment.

The board met in executive session for nearly 20 minutes with the school unit’s lawyer, Melissa A. Hewey, prior to taking the action in open session.

There was no settlement agreement but it is expected to be resolved in a week or two, Hewey said.

Hewey, Harvey and the RSU 36 directors all declined to comment on the reason for the action. Those involved would not comment on whether the claims against the district and previous administration were related to former Superintendent Terry Despres of Winthrop.

Despres declined to comment on the board’s action Tuesday when reached at his home after the meeting. Despres, who oversaw the district for about five years, resigned Jan. 31, citing medical and personal reasons. The board accepted Despres’ resignation after an emergency executive session on Jan. 13. However, Despres had already left the district and did not work the last couple of weeks before his resignation went into effect.

The board also hired two interim superintendents the same night to see the district through June 30. Harvey took over as superintendent on July 1.

Both the Maine Human Rights Act and the Equal Employment Opportunity, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, protect people from discrimination and harassment in the work place.

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