Brownsburg Community Schools and former Superintendent Jim Snapp have reached a $900,000 settlement to end a lawsuit Snapp filed last year alleging the district breached his retirement agreement and defamed him amid a state investigation into his departure.
State investigators found no evidence Snapp misappropriated public funds — the allegation at the center of the investigation — according to a statement from the Brownsburg school board Monday night.
The board did not release details of the $900,000 paid to Snapp. The former superintendent's spokesperson confirmed the amount.
“The Board regrets any hardship this investigation and separation have caused Dr. Jim Snapp and his family,” the board’s statement said. “The Board recognizes Dr. Snapp's contribution and longstanding connection to BCSC. We welcome him as he reengages with the school community.”
Snapp’s lawsuit stemmed from that investigation, which was launched around the time of his retirement announcement in January 2024. Once the school district told IndyStar the investigation was related to Snapp, he argued the district’s comments broke its agreement not to publicly comment about his exit from the district.
Snapp's lawsuit included a defamation claim over the statements made to IndyStar.
Snapp said in a written statement Monday afternoon that the settlement marks the end of a “nearly three-year ordeal that has taken a tremendous toll on me and my family.”
“I’m glad to have reached a resolution that allows me to find closure after an unnecessary separation from Brownsburg Community School Corporation (BCSC),” Snapp said.
Snapp had announced his retirement suddenly in January 2024 after serving the district since 2010. At the time, the only explanation for his retirement was “administrative concerns” in Snapp’s role as superintendent.
Now, the lawsuit sheds light on further details surrounding Snapp’s retirement deal.
The legal disputes between the district and its former leader began on Jan. 15, 2024, the day Snapp agreed to terms for his early retirement. Snapp’s lawsuit claims that same morning that school board president Jessica Hefferman notified the Indiana State Board of Accounts over “misappropriation of funds by an administrator.”
The district was accusing Snapp of allowing health insurance benefits to continue being paid to an unnamed teacher who had been charged with rape and had since left the district’s employment.
The district alleged that Snapp had allowed the payments to continue beyond the period provided for in the teachers' collective bargaining agreement and without board approval.
Snapp said in his statement on Monday that the school board members during his last year had a “different vision for the school district, causing a deterioration of the relationship between the school board and myself, which led to the board seeking to separate with me prior to the end of my contract.”
Four out of the five school board members who were serving at the time of Snapp’s retirement are still on the board: Heffernan, Mike Wells, Matt Freije and Katie Dixon. Eric Hylton is no longer on the board after not winning his re-election campaign in 2024.
In Snapp’s lawsuit, he also alleges the school board made false allegations to the State Board of Accounts to pressure him into accepting a smaller retirement settlement.
According to the lawsuit, Snapp’s retirement agreement meant he was paid a total amount of $169,697 for his unused vacation time and sick days. Snapp then filed an application for wage claim with the Indiana Department of Labor around April 1, 2024, arguing that Brownsburg still owed him $13,270 more for unused vacation days.
Brownsburg disputed those claims, along with the accusation that the district breached his retirement contract when telling IndyStar about Snapp’s involvement in the investigation.
However, both Snapp and the district have now agreed to drop all claims made against each other, and a Hendricks County judge ordered the case to be dismissed on Sept. 2.
Snapp said in his statement on Monday that he had tried to reach an amicable resolution with the board on several occasions “so that students and staff would not be adversely impacted.”
“The school board made it clear that was not a possibility, but my goal never changed,” Snapp said.
The Indiana State Board of Accounts and the Indiana State Police have since said they found no evidence of fraudulent activity from Snapp, according to a statement from the Brownsburg school board Monday night.
Also during the meeting, the district approved a $100,000 donation from Snapp and his attorney Kirk LeBlanc. Board meeting documents show the two opted not to collect $100,000 of the settlement, donating that amount back to the district. Snapp will retain the remaining $50,000 of that portion.
“Neither Kirk nor I want students and staff in the classrooms affected by this settlement,” Snapp said. “This gift reflects our sincere hope to make that possible.”
Contact WFYI Government Reporter Caroline Beck at cbeck@wfyi.org.
