KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A whistleblower lawsuit against Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) has been settled.

Kalamazoo Public Schools, through their liability insurance courier Middle Cities, reached a settlement in the whistleblower lawsuit against them by Tabitha Coleman, former superintendent's secretary, who accused them of violating their open meetings policy, abused public money, and took more than $248,000 in questionable per diem stipends since 2007 without public disclosure, according to the court filing and Clark Hill attorney Marshall Grate.

• PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kalamazoo Public Schools denies misconduct allegations from former secretary

The settlement was paid out to Coleman in an undisclosed amount.

The former superintendent’s secretary claimed she was demoted and ostracized after calling out the stipends and other abuses, according to Delaporte Law, the firm that represented Coleman.

Though she is no longer the superintendent's secretary, Coleman does still work with KPS as the supervisor of special projects in the Instruction and Student Services Department, according to KPS officials.

In their initial investigation, KPS denied Coleman's claims in a 10 page investigation conducted by Clark Hill law firm, stating, "your allegation that the board's policy has been abused is unsubstantiated."

The investigation details Coleman's accusation that board members took advantage of a per diem policy, taking more than they were allowed, totaling in the board members receiving...

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