MCSB Superintendent Faces Allegations of Contract Breach

The Monroe City School District’s Superintendent is a step closer to being removed from her job. The board voted 5-2 to file a list of 9 charges against Kathleen Harris.

But the superintendent could receive a buyout offer instead of going to a hearing.

The Monroe City School Board Considers Charges against Superintendent Kathleen Harris

Board members Glynn Ludley and Rodney McFarland cast the only two votes that opposed filing charges against suspended Superintendent Kathleen Harris.

Ludley has consistently supported the superintendent at board meetings and during the removal process.

He says the moves to have Harris fired work against the school board’s mandate.

“It’s a complete waste of time, it’s a witch-hunt. We need to be doing things to try to get this school system moving. We need her in place now to help these kids. We have failing schools. We have kids who can’t read and write, and our emphasis should be on them. Instead we have bickering back and forth.”

The charges against Harris include 5 counts of mishandling personnel policies, three counts of failing to appropriately handle board finances and a charge of failing to communicate with board members.

Count number 6 on the list alleges that Harris breached her contract by not submitting an application for a $3,000,000 school improvement grant. Board President, Verbon Muhammad, says that is the most concerning of the charges.

“If we are losing money with grants, that’s a problem, that’s a concern for the board.”

Still, Muhammad says a hearing to remove the superintendent might be unnecessary.

“We can talk about possible buyout options, possible reassignment options or whatever we can do to resolve it without going to a hearing.”

Glynn Ludley says it would make better financial sense to continue Harris’ suspension until her contract ends on December 31.

 “Well instead of going through this – she’s been suspended for two 30 days – make it 150; her contract is up when? The last of December? That would take it to 150 days, then we won’t have to go through this.”  

Barring a buyout or a reassignment, Harris’ hearing is slated for August 28.