Orange County School of the Arts has settled a six-year long legal dispute with Santa Ana Unified School District for $8.55 million.
Farmers & Merchants Bank is helping the charter school secure a loan to settle what was originally a $20 million invoice from the district over special education program costs.
“This resolution allows us to turn the page and refocus our resources to the bright future of OCSA,” OCSA Chief Executive and President Teren Shaffer said in a statement that was sent to OCSA parents and students this week.
OCSA originally offered to pay SAUSD $4 million to settle the lawsuit during a district board meeting in May.
The school has invested more than $3 million in legal fees for the appeal, according to Shaffer.
