Moore County School Board settles $200,000 federal lawsuit

The Moore County Board of Education agreed to pay $200,000 to Matthew Wells’ family in a federal lawsuit. Wells, nonverbal and autistic, was a Pinecrest High School student. The lawsuit names Jeffrey Lynch, a teacher’s assistant, for an alleged assault.

The school system denied any wrongdoing or liability. The agreement notes unclear evidence of an assault but acknowledges witnesses saw Wells upset after the incident. Wells and his parents received an apology from the school system for the delayed two-week notification.

The agreement mandates same-day parent notification for serious incidents, crisis prevention certification for staff with disabled students, a program review, and family-centered supports. Parents must be informed if police or emergency services are called for any alleged assault or possible crime involving their child.

The $200,000 settlement allocates $56,000 to Wells, minus a contingency fee, with the rest for attorney fees under relevant laws. The agreement requires payment within 30 days of court approval.

Approval by the Moore County Schools Board and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina is required for the settlement. With court approval, the parties consented to a dismissal with prejudice, ending the case and barring refiling of claims.

The agreement mandates that the school board read a public statement at a scheduled meeting, record it in minutes, and post it on the website.

The settlement agreement was signed in Aug. 2026.

Oct. 21, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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