THE WINSTON BROOKS BUYOUT IS APPROVED BY A DISTRICT JUDGE FRIDAY. THE BUYOUT IS FOR 350-THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE JUDGE SAID THE DEAL IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF APS AND THE PUBLIC. THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MUST NOW SIGN OFF ON THE ARRANGEMENT AS WELL. THERE IS NO TIMELINE AS TO WHEN THE DEPARTMENT WILL DECIDE IF IT'S GOING TO APPROVE THE DEAL. BROOKS RESIGNED TWO WEEKS AGO. THE BOARD HAD SAID AT THE TIME HE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR WHAT IT CALLED A "SERIOUS PERSONNEL ISSUE" BUT LITTLE ELSE HAS BEEN MADE PUBLIC.
