Hearing Set Over Massachusetts School Bullying Settlement

A Massachusetts judge is set to hear arguments on whether South Hadley officials must disclose details of a settlement that the town paid to the family of a 15-year-old girl who committed suicide after relentless bullying.

Phoebe Prince hanged herself in January 2010, and five students accepted plea deals in criminal cases connected with bullying that preceded her death.

On Monday, a Hampshire Superior Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments from attorneys for Emily Bazelon, a journalist seeking a court order requiring South Hadley to disclose details of the settlement with Prince’s family.

The American Civil Liberties Union is representing Bazelon, a reporter and editor for the online magazine Slate.

South Hadley’s attorney says the information is confidential because of a non-disclosure clause in the settlement and attorney-client privilege.