Baxter Academy of Technology and Science

“Portland charter school, ousted founder settle legal dispute.” Maine Sunday Telegram (ME), 4/10/2013

PORTLAND — Portland’s first charter school and its founder, who was fired by the board of directors, have settled their legal disputes, both parties announced Tuesday...

The school and Jaques voluntarily dismissed the legal dispute with prejudice, which means both parties agree not to file any further claims associated with the dispute...

The board of directors fired Jaques, who was serving as executive director, in March, citing a pattern of financial mismanagement. Jaques initially refused to relinquish control of some school assets online, and the school sued him to get the material. He complied but then countersued, claiming defamation, and sought punitive damages.

Jaques said the board fired him because a donor insisted on it. The donor confirmed that he wouldn’t have made a $250,000 donation if Jaques had remained as executive director...

Although the two sides have settled, there may still be a state investigation into the application process for Baxter Academy and other charter schools.

The dispute between Baxter officials and Jaques prompted Portland Mayor Michael Brennan to ask the Maine Attorney General’s Office to investigate the allegations of financial mismanagement and determine whether the Charter School Commission properly reviewed the school’s finances. Attorney General Janet Mills declined, saying she lacked the authority...