Head of college association resigns

A former state House speaker has resigned as head of the Arkansas Community Colleges association, which quickly suspended his access to the organization’s Little Rock offices, records obtained Monday show.

Former House Speaker Bill Stovall III resigned as executive director Thursday, according to Stephen Cole, the association’s executive committee chairman and chancellor of the Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas in De Queen.

Stovall said his departure would take effect Oct. 31, according to a resignation letter addressed to Cole and obtained under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

In a response to Stovall, Cole, on behalf of the association’s executive committee, said he accepted the resignation, “officially effective” Oct. 31, and said the organization agreed to pay the balance of Stovall’s annual and sick leave on or before that date.

Cole added, however, that “your [Stovall’s] access to the ACC offices and all ACC accounts will be suspended at the end of business” Friday.

Stovall had been executive director since Oct. 1, 2013.

His tenure as House speaker ended in January 2007. A Quitman Democrat and

a convenience-store owner at the time, Stovall was prevented by term limits from running for re-election that year.

Neither letter gave a reason for Stovall’s departure.

Cole referred a question on the reason to Stovall, who could not be reached for comment by phone Monday.

There is no residential phone listing for a Bill or William Stovall in directory assistance for Quitman or Little Rock.

Speaking after normal business hours, Cole said he did not know Stovall’s annual salary.

In June 2013, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Stovall would get an annual compensation package exceeding $200,000, including an annual salary of $156,000, under a tentative agreement.

An official affiliated with the association, then called the Arkansas Association of Two Year Colleges, said in 2013 that the association had tentatively agreed to give Stovall a $15,000-a-year housing allowance and a $7,800-a-year vehicle allowance in addition to the $156,000 annual salary.

Stovall was in the House from 2001-2007, the last two years as speaker.

He later worked as a House staff member in several capacities, including director of constituency services, chief of staff and chief operating officer.

Stovall made $133,034 as the House’s chief operating officer.