Mediation talks began Tuesday morning for both sides in a lawsuit filed by members of the STARS board of directors.

Both sides hope to reach an agreement that will allow the board to move forward with directives from the N.C. Office of Charter Schools to comply with its own bylaws and refocus priorities on the STARS' charter renewal process, which begins in October.

Mediation comes after board members Fred Walden, Steven George and Cindy Buchan, along with parent representative Amy Stonesifer, filed a lawsuit against the board's remaining members: O'Linda Gillis, Larry Graham, Al Haltiwanger, John Langley and Bonnie McPeake.

At a hearing last Tuesday, Superior Court Judge James Webb ordered the two parties into immediate mediation after both sides agreed to stand down further actions.

The lawsuit alleges that the five board members in question have jeopardized the viability of the school's charter by refusing to leave office after their terms expired, holding illegal meetings in violation of the state open meetings law, approving resolutions that violate the charter's bylaws and ignoring compliance directives issued by the Office of Charter Schools.

The suit originally asked that a judge remove members of the board who have overstayed their term limits, reinstate board members Steven George and Cathy Buchan, who were illegally removed from office, and appoint two new members of the board.

Last week, Kieran Shanahan, attorney for the plaintiffs, said that time is a major factor driving both sides toward a resolution.

The first day of school is Aug. 24, and parents, teachers and students are unsure as to whether or not the school will remain open through the year as long as the board remains out of compliance.

Contact Hannah Sharpe at hannah@thepilot.com.