Washoe County School Board settles lawsuit with ex-superintendent

RENO — The Washoe County School Board has agreed to pay a former superintendent up to $70,000 for a year of payment into her state retirement after she was fired.

The board voted 5-1 to settle with ousted Superintendent Traci Davis after she filed a wrongful termination lawsuit claiming she was entitled to a year's salary plus damages following her firing.

Trustee Andrew Caudill was the only one to vote against the settlement, arguing that "Miss Davis committed a treasonous act against the district."

Under the agreement, the district and Davis cannot disparage the other in remarks and must release a joint statement.

"I did not want the district to have to make any settlement, but I also know I don't want this to keep going on for a year," Trustee Katy Simon Holland said.

Davis was fired in July 2019 after being accused of leaking confidential information about a workplace investigation. The case was set to go to trial in October. Davis maintained she was fired without cause.

Attorney Rob Dotson was hired to represent the district against the lawsuit and said the trial could cost the district more than $130,000 in legal fees.

The Reno Gazette Journal reported it would file a public records request on Wednesday to determine how much the district has spent to date to defend itself.