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Mediation leads to no settlement between Baker, School Board
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A day of mediation has lead to no settlement in the lawsuit between former Superintendent Ray Baker and the Collier County School Board.
A mediation hearing was held Wednesday at Jeffrey Fridkin’s office in North Naples. Fridkin is representing Baker.
Representatives from his office said Wednesday that mediation is ongoing.
The Collier County School District and Baker were ordered by a court to go to mediation before Baker’s lawsuit against the district is allowed to move to trial.
Baker’s lawsuit contends School Board Chairwoman Linda Abbott and School Board members Steve Donovan and Richard Calabrese conspired against him by communicating in secret and with each other, in violation of the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law, to declare his contract void before the board voted 3-2 to fire him at a July 31, 2007, meeting.
Baker has requested a judge rule that he enjoy all rights and benefits under his contract, including the right to serve as superintendent, until any lawful termination or expiration of his term. Baker had indicated he intended to retire when his contract expired June 30, 2009.
The mediation is confidential. If Baker and the district cannot come to an agreement, the case will move forward to trial.
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go Ray! ride 'em hard and leave 'em wet.
you should not have been replaced by the Rock Star and his groupies. decades with the district should bring respect, not disgrace.
#1 Posted by mimibuck on April 2, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All this energy should be invested in the students and better wages for the educators.
Vote www.dooley08.com
Thanks!
#2 Posted by dooley on April 2, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The best possible outcome for the community would be a trial in which the actions of the board members responsible for the present situation are brought to light. If they have done nothing wrong, they should have no problem with the public peering into their dealings. Let the sunshine in!
#3 Posted by wethepeople34102 on April 3, 2008 at 12:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope that focus on the board members' communicating in secret will not prevent exposure of the other still secret forces that brought CCPS Ms. Martha Hayes, Ms. Mary Gemmill, and Superintendent Thompson. We need to know what the Hinshaw & Culbertson involvement really is.
May the Force be with you, Ray Baker.
#4 Posted by Istiklal on April 3, 2008 at 4:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let the sun-shine in!!! Go Ray Go!
#5 Posted by stupifried on April 3, 2008 at 5:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is this on the Marconews.com site and not on Naplesnews.com? Just curious.
This case MAY wrap up before June 2009 but I seriously doubt it. Baker won't be back as super. What a circus it will be if it goes to trial. This one will make the Sofos case look like a walk in the park.
#6 Posted by teachurkids on April 3, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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