Reynolds Area School Board members Wednesday approved a settlement with two administrators who sued them and Superintendent Dr. Charles M. Cagno.

Joseph A. Torok Jr., principal in charge of student affairs at the junior-senior high school, and Dr. Martin R. Friedman, school psychologist, filed the lawsuit Aug. 25.

They alleged Cagno and the school board violated the state’s Whistleblower Law by stripping them of job titles, duties and benefits because Cagno suspected them of being involved in a special investigation by the state Auditor General’s Office.

As a result of the investigation, the board in October suspended Cagno for five days without pay as a punishment for misusing school vehicles and property.

Wednesday, directors approved the settlement with Torok and Friedman by a 6-3 vote.

Board President Ralph Jones said details of the agreement are confidential and the parties involved cannot comment because it’s a legal matter.

Directors did issue a statement that read, in part, "... The settlement is not an admission of liability, but is a result of all parties realizing that this settlement is in the best interests of each of them individually and collectively. The district limited its exposure to its insurance deductible ($2,500), and fulfilled its duty to the taxpayers to end this litigation at the least possible cost."

Friedman and Torok "are satisfied that they have received fair treatment under the settlement" and "Dr. Cagno, Dr. Friedman Mr. Torok and the Reynolds School District look forward to working together in the time to come to serve the students, parents and taxpayers of the Reynolds School District," it said.

Approving the agreement were Jones, Thomas Limber, Daniel McBride, Maddox Stokes, David Campbell and Bradley Stull. Directors Sue Mitchell, James Sunderlin and Elizabeth Schuffert voted no.

The lawsuit had been scheduled for a hearing Monday in Mercer County Common Pleas Court. A court administrator said it would not be known until later today whether that hearing has been canceled.