Settlement expected in ongoing Downsville Charter feud
The ongoing feud over who will lead Downsville Charter School could soon be over. Both sides say a settlement is in the works to end months of bickering.
We've been covering this for more than a year now, and a lot of back and forth has happened during the last school year. For eight months, a battle of power has raged on in court between Reggie Skains, the old Downsville Charter Board President and George Cannon, Superintendent of Union Parish Schools.
"He's aggravated because we sued them, because we wanted more money," Skains said, in an interview months ago.
"There were financial issues at play, [and] there were discrepancies with the selection of students," Cannon said, in response to the interview months ago as well.
Many parents we spoke with wouldn't go on camera, because they say they don't want to get involved in the politics.
The "he said, he said" should come to a close in the next few days, according to Skains and Cannon. At the last scheduled court meeting July 14th, Cannon says Skains and his attorneys didn't show. However, a settlement between the two is in a judge's hands for final approval.
"This kind of brings closure to everything," Cannon said. "There are about four or five hundred thousand dollars in various accounts that have been in question."
Cannon says he's hoping it will end the feud over money and power over the Downsville Charter Board in time for the new school year. It will be a new year, with a new look, at Downsville Charter according to Cannon.
The exact details of the settlement aren't finalized, and neither side can say too much at this point, but the one point Cannon wants to drive home is this drama will soon be over.
"It's not the issue anymore- the old board versus the new board, because the old board no longer exists," Cannon said.
A Union Parish judge is expected to make his decision on the settlement in the next few days.
We reached out to Skains about the settlement, but he says he can't comment until he receives the final paperwork from the judge. We'll let you know what he says once that happens.
