SETTLEMENT

to a lack of competency — period,” he said. “I will not allow this matter to distract me from focusing on our students and securing more competitive pay for our teachers and sta .”

Board Member Williams also provided a statement, saying she voted to re Wise because she felt he was “unable to meet the requirements of an e cient and e ective leader.”

“I’m thankful we can nally move forward and put the focus back on our students and sta ,” Williams said.

Myers, Peterson, Williams and Winegar campaigned and were elected on platforms that included removing mask mandates in schools and making changes to the district’s equity policy.

Wise’s complaint alleged those actions, as well as numerous statements from the four board members, were evidence they were motivated by discriminatory views against immunocompromised people, people of color and LGBTQ+ people.

“I think their actions were retaliatory and discriminatory, not only against me, but all of the students that we were trying to protect,” Wise said, adding that they showed “poor leadership.” e goal with the complaint is to stand up against discrimination and push back against partisanship and misinformation, Wise said.

Iris Halpern, Wise’s attorney, agreed, saying it’s important for there to be consequences to putting politics before students, which is a ght not unique to Douglas County.

“Hopefully this sends the message to communities that we have to be careful about how our education systems are politicized, not to vilify minority groups that need the most support and that there is an intentional playbook that is talking place right now,” Halpern said. “ ere’s a larger attempt to exploit the situation and create division and hate for political power. It’s not happening by accident.”