NHCS approves second settlement in sex abuse lawsuit involving Michael Kelly

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Board of Education voted Tuesday to approve a settlement negotiated by the district’s insurer in the second civil lawsuit brought by survivors of abuse by former teacher Michael Kelly.

During the meeting, board member Pat Bradford made the motion to approve the agreement in the cases involving John Does 15-17 and New Hanover County Schools. All members voted in favor.

The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed against the board after Michael Kelly, a former New Hanover County Schools teacher who pleaded guilty in 2019 to multiple counts of indecent liberties with a child, indecent liberties with a student and second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, sexually abused students while teaching at both Laney High School and Isaac Bear Early College High School.

In 2023, the board reached a separate $5.75 million agreement with 14 survivors of Kelly’s abuse. John Does 15-17 were not involved in that first lawsuit.

In a statement regarding Tuesday’s settlement agreement, attorneys with Rhine Law Firm and Lea-Schultz, who represent the victims, said:

“Our John Doe clients were relieved to reach a settlement in their lawsuit against the New Hanover County School Board. They were each groomed and sexually abused by Michael Kelly, a former science teacher at Isaac Bear Early College High School. Unfortunately, our school boards in New Hanover County have allowed predators to prey on our children for decades. What happened under the school system’s watch will follow our clients for the rest of their lives. The astonishing bravery of these young men has forced the school system to improve its practices such that something like this should never happen again.”

Details of the settlement have not yet been released.