RECORDS COMING: On Matthew Wendt's firing.

Circuit Judge Tom Cooper today said the Fayetteville School District must release records related to the firing of Superintendent Matthew Wendt, 40/29 reports.

Shae Newman, a former district receptionist who’s filed a sexual harassment complaint against Wendt, had objected to the release of the records because she said portions would invade her privacy. Newman and Wendt had a relationship that soured. Her complaint to the School Board about his alleged harassment of her led ultimately to his firing. Wendt has sued Newman. He claims they had a consensual relationship and blames her for loss of his job.

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As our earlier report noted, a great deal of information about communications between Wendt and Newman have already been made public.

The judge gave the district five days to redact information that may be exempt from disclosure and provide the records, which have been requested by a number of media and others. Newman’s name will not be redacted, but those of her family will be, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

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