CMS awaits investigation outcome
About 60 members of the community attended the Cutter Morning Star School District’s board meeting Monday evening, but no action was taken nor statements made in regard to an ongoing investigation of two district employees.
Cutter Morning Star Elementary School Principal Jann Gibson and an
elementary physical education teacher and coach, who has not been identified, were placed on paid leave on Oct. 11. Multiple sources with the district and in the community told the newspaper complaints against the two employees were filed with the Arkansas Department of Human Services. State law prohibits DHS from confirming or denying the existence of maltreatment cases.
The agenda for Monday’s meeting showed “No report” under personnel items. Superintendent Nancy Anderson said during the meeting the board and district had nothing to report in regard to personnel.
“It would be inappropriate to comment on the ongoing investigation or the status because she is not here to make her defense, if one is even necessary,” attorney Cody Kees said after the meeting.
Kees is an attorney with the Bequette & Billingsley law firm in Little Rock. Bequette & Billingsley represents the district.
Members of the Cutter Morning Star School Board approved the district to hire an administrative substitute during a special meeting the evening of Oct. 11. Terry Lawler, who retired as principal of Langston Aerospace and Environmental Studies Magnet School in the Hot Springs School District in January 2016, was hired as a short-term replacement.
Monday’s meeting included the district’s annual report to the public. The meeting began at 5 p.m. and the annual report ended at 6:40, when Anderson said the district would not comment on personnel. The meeting ended at 6:45 p.m.
Community members showed their support for Gibson on Monday by wearing black shirts with the hashtag #standwithjann. An online petition on Change.org has garnered 286 signatures in an effort to persuade Anderson and the board to end Gibson’s suspension.
Kees said Anderson has the authority to suspend employees while the district investigates the matter. He said he expects a resolution in the coming days.
“The district is concluding that investigation and I anticipate the superintendent will make a recommendation this week as to what future steps the administration is going to take in regards to that teacher’s employment,” Kees said.