A group of teachers say they have experienced “total vindication” after getting a big settlement following their dismissal after refusing a COVID jab due to religious objections.
“It’s vindication,” the teachers’ attorney, Gregory P. Piccirilli, told the Coalition Radio Network regarding the settlement, which he says is in excess of a half-million dollars, according to The Blaze.
“The key part is, they have their reinstatement. Their records are purged. They don’t ever have to say that they were fired if they apply for another job … just 100% vindication. More than I think we could have hoped for even if we’d won in court,” he added.
According to Legal Insurrection, Brittany DiOrio, Stephanie Hines, and Kerri Thurber had their religious exemption requests for the mandatory COVID vaccine denied at the start of the 2021-2022 school year. As a consequence, they faced suspension without pay and were ultimately terminated from their positions in January 2022.
In a press release obtained by the outlet, it was revealed that the Barrington School Committee in Rhode Island has reached a settlement with the Barrington Public School teachers. The settlement encompasses full reinstatement, back pay, and coverage of attorneys’ fees.
Hines, Thurber, and DiOrio will receive back pay in the amounts of $65,000, $128,000, and $150,000, respectively. Each woman will receive $33,333 on top of that, a three-way split of $100,000. In addition, The Blaze reported, “Barrington Public Schools will also be paying the teachers’ legal counsel $50,000.”
“Our district was navigating an unprecedented health pandemic and leaned on the important recommendations by the CDC and the Rhode Island Department of Health to ensure the safety of our students and school community,” the school district noted in a statement.
“Our then-policy helped combat the pressing public health crisis of the time, while keeping schools open, and one that nearly all faculty adhered to,” the statement added.
“In coordination with our legal counsel and Superintendent, we determine this ongoing, expensive litigation would likely continue for a lengthy period of time, and a resolution should be reached. We believe our Administration’s time, and our District’s financial resources should be spent on the daily work and mission of Barrington Public Schools. Our School Committee looks forward to continuing to support this work,” it added.
In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, Gregory P. Piccirilli, the attorney representing the teachers, expressed concern over the situation, describing it as “troubling.” He highlighted that the teachers in question had declined the vaccine due to their religious beliefs and also pointed out that they had already contracted and recovered from the virus, providing them with natural immunity.
Additionally, Piccirilli stated that their local union declined to offer representation,” The Blaze noted further.
“At this time, my clients are in the process of rebuilding their lives and careers, as well as their reputations, after having been vilified by so many for taking a stand in their faith in opposing what was both an illegal and immoral vaccine mandate,” Piccirilli told Fox News.
