HULL ‒ The town has agreed to pay former superintendent of schools Michael Devine $700,000 to settle a federal anti-gay discrimination case filed in 2021. The settlement was reached after Devine testified during the second day of trial in United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Boston.

In the agreement, which Hull released Wednesday, June 12, the town and members of the school committee who fired Devine in April 2020 denied liability in Devine’s allegations of discrimination and breach of contract.

Of the $700,00, $300,000 will be paid by the town’s insurer and the rest will be paid directly by Hull, with $250,000 coming from the school department’s budget and $150,000 from the general budget, the agreement states.

The town’s official statement on former Superintendent Devine ‘wishes him well’

In addition to the monetary payment, Hull agreed to send a statement to the school community via email and on its school website. The statement includes the following:

“The Town of Hull thanks Michael Devine for his years of honorable public service first as Principal of Hull High School and then as Superintendent of the Public Schools and wishes him well on his future endeavors.”

What Hull said: See the full official statement

The school committee will also give Devine a letter of recommendation for future employment.

“Should any prospective employer inquire about Devine’s employment with the Town, the School Department shall provide Devine’s dates of employment, positions and the Letter of Recommendation,” the settlement agreement states.

What is in the letter of recommendation for Hull’s former superintendent

The letter of recommendation, which is included in the settlement agreement, lists honors and achievements of Hull public schools under Devine’s leadership, including increased numbers of Advance Placement students and higher Advanced Placement exam scores, a dramatic reduction of dropout rates and a National Blue Ribbon awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Why Devine sued the town of Hull

The case stemmed from a series of texts between Devine and a former student in September 2019. The student, who was 21 at the time of the text exchange, said Devine inappropriately pursued a sexual relationship and took advantage of the trust they developed when he was a student and Devine was principal of Hull High School.

In her opening statement, Devine’s attorney India Minchoff said the school board’s decision to fire Devine was motivated by homophobia and informed by anti-gay tropes. Deborah Ecker, defense attorney for the Hull school board, said Devine took advantage of the student, who had been neglected by his parents, suffered from homelessness and mental health issues and had turned to Devine as a father figure.

After the trial ended in a settlement, the former student told The Patriot Ledger he thought it unwise to give Devine the opportunity to work in education again. He said he wished he had the chance to testify.

What will Devine do next?

Devine, who told The Patriot Ledger he’s worked as a dishwasher and bartender since losing his job as Hull’s superintendent, said that he has won his reputation back through the settlement and looks forward to resuming his career in education.

“My plan is absolutely to start applying for positions this summer,” Devine said in an interview. “If I had my way I would be back in school come the first day of school in September. I’ve devoted my whole life to being an educator. That’s who I am. I’m an educator.”

Peter Blandino covers Quincy for The Patriot Ledger. Contact him at pblandino@patriotledger.com. 

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Town of Hull was sued: How much is the settlement, what the town says