Arlington is paying former Ottoson teacher Charles Coughlin as negotiations following the appeal of his case continue.

A recent update to the School Committee about legal fees listed a payment to Coughlin of $8,417.76 in December. He was fired in August 2007 for his role in e-mails with then-Principal Stavroula Bouris. An arbitrator's decision last Oct. 27 said his dismissal was not consistent with state law, ordered back pay and asked Coughlin be reinstated "forthwith to his Ottoson Middle School teaching position."

Asked about the payment and when he might again work for the schools, interim Superintendent Kathleen Bodie wrote in an e-mail Jan. 11:

"In light of the October 2009 arbitration award in Mr. Coughlin's favor, and as a gesture of good faith as we attempt to reach a resolution of Mr. Coughlin's claims, the School Department and the Town agreed to make Mr. Coughlin periodic payments equal to the amount he would be earning in salary. The December payment to Mr. Coughlin was a payment equal to his monthly salary made against an anticipated future settlement of disputed claims.

"With regard to your question as to if and when Mr. Coughlin will return to work, this is a matter in litigation and I am not able to comment at this time."

Asked how many periodic payments are expected, she declined to comment Jan. 13.

Coughlin has been asked to comment. He has not responded to requests for comment since early July 2007.

The update on legal fees was included in the packet of information provided to School Committee members before the Jan. 12 meeting. The administration reported new forecasts that night about the fiscal 2011 budget and saying it shows a shortfall of high as $6.8 million.

In November, the schools' attorney appealed the arbitrator's decision and said it would pursue the appeal pro bono.

The attorney for Coughlin, Frank Mondano, answered the appeal Dec. 7.

The update on legal fees provides the latest public accounting of the cost of the cases involving Coughlin and Bouris. Added were bills totaling $21,827.56 to a listing reported in November.

That brings the total of expenses in the two cases from July 1, 2007, through December 2009 to $466,768.56. Total legal expenses for that period were $540,374.56.

The expenses following the October 2009 accounting and shown the latest update were:

October, $8,250, Richard Boulanger (arbitrator)

October, $75, American Arbitration Association

October, $3,801, Judith Williams, court reporter

October, $1,227, Judith Williams, court reporter

December, $1,744.80, Peter Gadd, attendee

December, $1,569, Judith Williams, court reporter

December, $293, Judith Williams, court reporter

December, $2,000, Tammy Brynie, Esq.

December, $450, American Arbitration Association

December, $8,417.76, Charles Coughlin

The arbitration case involving Bouris continues.

This story was first published Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010.