Hartland Board to Discuss Sahouri Settlement OfferHartland Board to Discuss Sahouri Settlement Offer

4/22/13 - A proposed settlement offer with former Principal Tracey Sahouri will be discussed tonight by the Hartland Consolidated Schools Board of Education, although initial indications are that the district is unlikely to accept the deal. Sahouri filed a lawsuit against the district alleging they violated the Whistleblower Protection Act when it failed to renew her administrative contract and eventually re-assigned her to a teaching position. It also claims she was the subject of harassment and discrimination. An alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, hearing was held in Genesee County Circuit Court earlier this month, during which both sides presented their case to a three-member legal panel. That panel came up with a proposed settlement amount of $525,000. The recommendation is not binding and requires both sides to agree. Sahouri’s attorney has said he thinks a jury will award her far more than that if they go to trial, while Hartland Superintendent Janet Sifferman previously told WHMI they remain confident the correct personnel decisions were made and maintain that Sahouri was found to have committed misconduct by both the Michigan Department of Education and the district. Sahouri was re-assigned after a state report concluded a breach of security in administering the MEAP test to Creekside Elementary students in 2011. The lawsuit alleges the decision not to renew her contract was made in part because of rumors surrounding criminal charges that had been filed against Sahouri and her husband in a separate case that alleged they knowingly allowed minors to drink alcohol at a party at their home, although those charges were later dismissed. She also claims her removal as principal was in retaliation for reporting ongoing “irregularities” in how the district administered the MEAP tests. The Hartland school board will meet at 6:30 tonight, although the Sahouri matter will be discussed during a closed session. (JK)