From Mitchell Daily Republic: HURON — A copy of a secret agreement that directed nearly $175,000 to an ex-superintendent of the Huron School District must be provided to The Daily Republic, a judge ruled Wednesday.
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In a four-page decision, Third Circuit Judge Jon Erickson said the district must release a copy of the settlement agreement between it and ex-superintendent Ross Opsal.
The agreement had the district making monthly payments to Opsal after his resignation in March 2011, according to public payment information already obtained by The Daily Republic. The reason for the payments, which is presumably spelled out in the agreement, has never been made public.
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Erickson’s ruling affirms an earlier decision in favor of the newspaper issued in March by the state Office of Hearing Examiners. The school district, despite the two rulings against it, could still choose to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
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The South Dakota Newspaper Association assisted the newspaper with the cost of the lawsuit. Dave Bordewyk, the association’s general manager, praised the judge’s decision. “It’s a good thing,” Bordewyk said. “It’s a good decision for open government in South Dakota.”
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