Mars Hill Graduate School to pay $300,000 judgment

Mars Hill Graduate School of Seattle was ordered as part of a settlement this week to pay a $300,000 judgment to its first female faculty member in a case involving allegations of harassment and discrimination.

The judgment, ordered in Snohomish County Superior Court, was awarded to Heather Parkinson-Webb, who was also one of the seven founders of the Christian-based school. In addition, the court ordered the school to provide her with a letter expressing its sadness at her departure and regret that "a great deal of misunderstanding" surrounded her departure. The school is also required to continue to provide diversity and anti-discrimination training for all its employees for at least three more years.

In a statement, the Mars Hill Graduate School said it "has never admitted nor would it ever admit that Ms. Webb's claims had any basis in fact," but added that it settled the matter "so that we can devote our full energy to furthering Mars Hill Graduate School's mission." Mars Hill is an independent organization that is not affiliated with any denomination or church.

According to a statement released on Parkinson-Webb's behalf by her attorney, Judith Lonquist, Webb's contract was not renewed for the 2005-2006 school year after she filed for divorce from Kirk Webb, also a founding faculty member of the school.