The final price tag for a federal discrimination judgment against the Richmond County Board of Education is $435,000.

The school board approved the negotiated settlement offer with Ellen Cauthen on Tuesday night after a nearly hourlong closed-door meeting. A jury found that Dr. Cauthen, a former school administrator, who is white, was transferred illegally based on her race.

School board attorney Pete Fletcher, who negotiated the settlement on behalf of the board, broke down the $435,000 for board members.

About $31,000 will cover court costs, he said. The settlement also stipulates that $25,000 be given to Laney High School to establish a scholarship fund for students.

In March, a federal jury awarded Dr. Cauthen a $258,000 judgment. Her attorneys, in turn, sought reimbursement of their legal fees from the school system. That would have brought the cost up to almost a half-million dollars.

The reduced settlement will likely be paid out of this year's budget and come out of the school board's reserve funds, Mr. Fletcher said. But that hasn't been decided.

Also, as part of the settlement, school records will show that Dr. Cauthen retired as an assistant principal, rather than as a teacher.

The settlement was approved by the board in an 8-1-1 vote, with Barbara Padgett voting against it and Joe Scott out of his seat at the time of the vote.

The school board had appealed the legal loss, but the settlement agreement ends the appeal.

Board member A.K. Hasan commended Dr. Cauthen's decision to include the scholarship in the settlement.

The board took no other actions based on its closed-door discussions.

Mr. Hasan said after the meeting that talks could resume next week on Superintendent Charles Larke's contract, which board members have been discussing for several weeks.

Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.