– The Kern Community College District agreed to pay $2.4 million to conservative professor Matthew Garrett in a settlement agreement after years of legal battles.
– Garrett filed a federal lawsuit claiming retaliation for questioning grant money being used for social justice initiatives on campus, as well as false allegations for questioning diversity initiatives.
– The district board of trustees voted to fire Garrett in April 2023, alleging immoral and unprofessional conduct.
– Garrett contested his suspension in court and the two parties agreed to a settlement last month.
– Under the settlement, Garrett resigned from his position and the district withdrew reports of unprofessional conduct and sealed related documents.
– The district maintains that the settlement does not admit any wrongdoing or liability.
– Garrett expressed gratitude for the support he received and declared the settlement a victory in the battle for free speech on campus.