A Taylor resident who claimed he was fired from his position as supervisor of buildings and grounds for the Riverside School District for political reasons, including where he lived, has settled a lawsuit against the district out of court.
Francis Mickavicz settled with the Riverside board of directors, although the exact sum was not available, according to papers filed Thursday in Lackawanna County Court. The case has been dismissed because a settlement was reached.
Mr. Mickavicz filed a lawsuit against the school district in June asking for $195,829 for compensation and benefits applicable under the Administrative Compensation Plan as well as for emotional distress.
He was fired in June 2010, just one year after being hired, when the board voted to eliminate his position. Mr. Mickavicz claimed in his lawsuit that the new school board, composed of five Moosic residents and four Taylor residents, fired him because he was a Taylor resident. The board that hired Mr. Mickavicz a year earlier was composed of five Taylor residents and four Moosic residents.
Board President Robert Bennie directed all legal questions to the district's solicitor, Raymond C. Rinaldi II, who could not be reached for comment Thursday night. Efforts to reach Mr. Mickavicz were also unsuccessful.
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