With no clear resolution in sight to the suspension of Superintendent Art McCoy, his supporters in the Ferguson-Florissant School District again have called on School Board members to resign.
“To refuse to put closure to this matter shows a total disregard for the children you claim to care about and represent,†Alfred Long Sr., a member of the Citizens’ Task Force on Excellence in Education, said Wednesday night. “You’re holding them hostage, not to mention the money you’re wasting in a district that is far from financially solvent.â€
The board was silent on the suspension during its meeting Wednesday, which again was moved to the McCluer North High School gym to accommodate a larger crowd. Last month, after the board announced they had voted 6-1 to place McCoy on administrative leave, about 1,500 people attended, and dozens spoke in support of McCoy and with disapproval about the decision. About 150 people showed up Wednesday.
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Although the board has continued to hold closed-session meetings in the last five weeks, a district spokeswoman said Wednesday that there had been no action regarding McCoy, who is in his third year as superintendent.
The reasons behind his removal also remain unclear, although many have suspicions.
McCoy, 36, has been a strong supporter of some school choice at a time when tension is running high among educators about the recently upheld student transfer law. Ferguson-Florissant has the second-highest number of student transfers in the region.
McCoy’s opinions about the future of transfers differed from most superintendents. He said students could continue to transfer if tuition was reduced so it was manageable for the unaccredited districts that are, under the law, required to pay. Some accused School Board President Paul Morris, a former teacher, of having a vendetta against McCoy.
The district’s initial statement announcing McCoy’s leave said that it was not an indication of wrongdoing. But since then, the School Board has reported irregularities in reporting of student attendance to state education officials that could result in the district’s having to return about $80,000. McCoy has denied making any improper alterations, or giving directives to do so.
On Wednesday night, one parent told the board she found it disturbing that McCoy’s child did not attend Ferguson-Florissant schools and that he owned a home in St. Charles County.
“What is his investment?†Amelia Schultz said.
She urged parents at the meeting to get involved at their children’s schools if they truly wanted to make a difference in the district.
Ferguson-Florissant is paying McCoy while the board investigates allegations against him. His supporters accused them Wednesday of trying to dig up dirt.
McCoy’s salary is $217,644 for this school year, and he has a contract, renewed in April, with the district through June 2016. The situation comes as the district also is facing a budget deficit of nearly $4 million.
Long, whose children graduated from Ferguson-Florissant schools, said the board had disregard, disrespect and “condescending arrogance†toward the community by allowing the situation to drag on.
“Most of your real meetings are behind closed doors to the public. What are you hiding? Is it about saving face?†Long said. “The best way to do that at this juncture is to admit you made a mistake and move out the way so someone who really cares about these kids can move in.â€