Settlement reached in former SSBA executive’s lawsuit
REGINA — An out-of-court settlement has been reached between the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) and its former senior director of advocacy services, Ardith Stephanson.
In a news release issued on Friday, Stephanson’s lawyer Ron Gates said the settlement includes damages and costs being paid to Stephanson, the result of a lawsuit she launched in 2008 against the SSBA.
“As is usual in these circumstances, the terms of the settlement are personal and confidential and will not be made public,” the release read.
Stephanson, reached by phone on Friday, said she was unable to say anything further about the settlement.
“I can’t comment on anything other than to say that I’m glad it’s finally over,” she said.
A representative of Gates said no other information would be released. A spokesperson for the SSBA said the association would also not comment.
“I CAN’T COMMENT ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN TO SAY I’M GLAD IT’S FINALLY OVER.”
ARDITH STEPHANSON
Stephanson and the SSBA’s then-executive director, Bill Wells, were dismissed in March 2008.
At the time of the dismissals, both sides said the dispute had arisen over a personnel issue in the Regina office. Details of the complaint weren’t made public.
Both former employees launched lawsuits in June of that year. In September 2010, it was announced that Wells and the SSBA had reached an out-of-court settlement. The terms of that agreement also weren’t disclosed, other than that a severance package was included.
When the lawsuits were filed, Wells and Stephanson each requested an unspecified amount in damages and legal costs, alleging breach of contract and bad faith, with Wells additionally looking for a sum of money equal to two years’ salary.
Among the allegations, the lawsuits claimed the SSBA acted in bad faith by telling the media that Wells and Stephanson were “guilty of something akin to workplace bullying.”
Allegations contained in the claims haven’t been proven in court.
Stephanson has since found other employment.