BOARD SETTLES SUIT FILED BY WORKER

EAST HAVEN - The Board of Education has reached a settlement with a former
custodian who claimed he was fired because he was once a drug user.

The board has authorized payment of $6,300 to Robert Lyon, who lost his job
in October 1994. The board will pay an additional $3,000 to Lyon's law firm,
Williams, Polan & Pattis, of New Haven, to cover his legal expenses.

Before Lyon sued the board in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport, the state
Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities ruled there was "reasonable
cause" to believe Lyon was a victim of illegal discrimination.

Norman Pattis, Lyon's lawyer, said he believes the board's willingness to
make the payment vindicates his client.

"We're very thankful to the Board of Education for settling," Pattis said
Thursday. "We take that to be recognition that they made a bad decision" in
firing Lyon.

Pattis said the settlement does not require the board to give Lyon his job
back, but Lyon said he wants to return. He currently works for a limousine
service, he said.

"If we're going to take rehabilitation seriously, then we should take Mr.
Lyon seriously," Pattis said. "It's time to welcome him back to the
community."

Lyon, 49, of Branford, said he "would love to come back" to the schools job.

He has admitted to once having a drug problem and having a police record,
but says he has recovered.

Board Chairwoman Linda Abbott declined to comment, saying she believed
neither side was supposed to comment on the settlement.

"It's a personnel matter and I won't discuss personnel issues," she said.

Board lawyer David Ryan, of Waterbury, is on vacation and could not be
reached.

Lyon said in the lawsuit, which he filed in December 1996, that just before
he was fired, then-Civil Service Commission Chairwoman Patricia Mellion, who
would later become a board member, complained about a drug addict and
convicted felon working in the system.

Mellion, who served on the board from 1995 to 1997, later said she was not
singling out Lyon or any other employee and did not recall making a comment
about a drug addict. She said she was trying to make the point that the
board employed some people who were not on approved civil service lists.

Two days later, school board Director of Buildings and Grounds told Lyon he
was fired, but did not give him any reason why, Lyon said in the lawsuit.

Checked-by: Don Beck