Editor's Note: This is a corrected article. The original article appears in the 1-31-19 edition of the Chronicle. It incorrectly reports that Kim Murphy is suing School District 5. Our apology to Mrs. Murphy and the board for our error.

A local school district and a former board member are locked in a legal battle.

The Lexington-Richland 5 school district is suing Kim Murphy, a former member the board removed from office.

The district contended Murphy did not live in the district that she was elected to represent. 

Murphy contends that she lives in the district and has presented official documents and testimony to support her position.

She has said she was removed for questioning board-approved policies and construction costs.

Murphy’s attorney Paul Porter declined to comment on her lawsuit now but said he would publicly comment later this week.

District 5 spokesperson Katrina Goggins said the district does not typically comment on pending litigation for legal reasons.

“It is critically important to clarify that the district is not ‘pursuing’ the lawsuit,” Goggins told the Chronicle.

“This case (Kim Murphy v. Richland – Lexington School District No. 5 Civil Action Number 2013-CP-40-1897) was initially commenced by Mrs. Murphy,” she said. 
“The district asserted counter-claims in response to Mrs. Murphy’s claims in order to protect the district’s legal interests, including seeking relief against Mrs. Murphy for costs incurred by the district as a result of unsuccessful legal actions brought by Mrs. Murphy. 
“We will decline to comment further as this is an ongoing legal matter.” 

The district’s response denies Murphy’s charges.