nothin Carolina’s Accuser Settles For $35K | New Haven Independent

Carolina’s Accuser Settles For $35K

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The school board has struck a deal with a former Hillhouse High School administrator whose allegations of grade-altering led to a controversial investigation.

The board Monday approved the $35,000 settlement with Shirley Love Joyner (pictured), who retired a year ago from her post as assistant principal at Hillhouse.

The payment settles a defamation lawsuit Joyner filed in 2012 in state Superior Court, in which she claimed the board failed to protect her from retaliation when she blew the whistle on her principal.

Joyner went out on medical leave on Jan. 9, 2012, shortly after she filed a complaint accusing her principal, Kermit Carolina, of grade-tampering. A report found most of her claims to be unsubstantiated. She retired on Dec. 1, 2012. Carolina, who has denied any wrongdoing, served a three-day suspension in connection to four charges that resulted from the probe. He is challenging those charges through an arbitration proceeding.

Joyner charged the Board of Ed with violating a whistleblower law, Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 31 – 51m, which protects employees who disclose employer’s illegal activities or unethical practices.” In her lawsuit, Joyner said she faced retaliation after accusing Carolina.

The settlement came as the case was headed to trial. In exchange for receiving the money, Joyner has agreed to drop her suit, saving the city the risk of a potentially costly trial. If the board of education lost in trial, it would have had to pay her legal fees as well as, potentially, back pay.

The school board and Joyner’s attorney, Joe Garrison, both declined comment on the settlement. The agreement does not admit wrongdoing.

A judge on Jan. 31 dismissed a separate suit Joyner had filed against Carolina and his attorney, Michael Jefferson. They accused her of retaliating against Carolina for demanding a higher work performance.

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