The Twin Rivers Unified School District announced a settlement Tuesday with one of its police officers at the final school board meeting for three outgoing trustees who were defeated in the June election and another who did not seek re-election.

The school district agreed to pay Twin Rivers Police Officer William Bernard, who is currently on administrative leave, a settlement of $15,000.

As part of the settlement, Bernard will retire, said William Trinkle, an attorney with the district's outside legal counsel, Timothy M. Cary and Associates.

Trinkle said he couldn't discuss the reason for Bernard's leave or settlement, citing privacy laws.

Bernard's settlement follows sweeping changes in the Twin Rivers Police Department since November, when the district placed its police chief, Christopher Breck, on paid leave.

Since then, many others also have been placed on administrative leaves or left the department.

Last week, Twin Rivers Officer Branche Smith was charged with four misdemeanor counts of assaulting detainees while on duty.

Earlier this month, Sgt. Frank Spino, one of the original whistle-blowers on alleged wrongdoing inside the police force, was awarded his job back with more than $50,000 in back pay.

The school district and its police force are the subject of multiple investigations, including a second grand jury investigation. The panel's report is scheduled to be released this week.

Outgoing trustee Alecia Eugene-Chasten, who did not seek re-election, said she is awaiting the release of the grand jury report. During her tenure, Eugene-Chasten filed two complaints with the District Attorney's Office against school district leaders and fellow board members with allegations of misappropriation of funds and fraud.

Allegations of Brown Act violations in Eugene-Chasten's first complaint in 2010 were investigated, but officials in the District Attorney's Office said there was insufficient evidence of wrongdoing. Chasten said she also initiated the grand jury's investigation.

"Although some may not understand, I'm proud that I opened the investigation with the Sacramento grand jury's office and many other government agencies," Eugene-Chasten said.

"The results of the grand jury investigation led to and recommended our district conduct a search for a new superintendent, reduce legal fees and investigate our Police Department."

New board members, who will be sworn in at the next meeting, are Michael Baker, John Dexter, Walter Garcia Kawamoto and Rebecca Sandoval.

The outgoing board voted to move the next meeting from July 17 to July 10.

Board President Roger Westrup, Michelle Rivas and Janis Green were defeated in their bids for re-election.

Incumbents Linda Fowler and Cortez Quinn were elected to serve a second term, while Bob Bastian ran unopposed.

Rivas missed Tuesday's board meeting and has not attended a board meeting since March 24. During that time, the board canceled two meetings and Rivas missed three others.

Westrup said despite the challenges facing the school district, he hopes people won't forget all the good things that were accomplished.

Westrup said he hasn't lost hope that the district can be a model of success.

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