Four months after Ferguson-Florissant suspended its superintendent, the conflict over his removal threatens to define an election that could change the makeup of the School Board.
Little has been made public about the reasons behind the suspension of Art McCoy, but differences between him and the board have been unresolved since November.
Now, closed hearings scheduled for tonight and Thursday could give McCoy an opportunity to confront the board for the first time.
This sort of standoff is rare in public schools. When at odds, superintendents and the boards that hire and fire them typically instead seek to reach an agreement for a resignation or a buyout of the remaining contract.
Should the hearings proceed, the decision about McCoy’s fate would rest with the board, though an administrative judge would oversee the hearings.
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If McCoy were unable to refute the charges with evidence and witnesses, the board could vote to terminate him for “cause.†Such an action would free the district from having to pay the remaining salary and benefits in a contract that was supposed to run for two more years.
McCoy has continued to draw from his $217,644 annual salary since the 6-1 vote on Nov. 6. The hearing and board discussion would take place behind closed doors, and reaching a decision could take several days, board President Paul Morris said this week.
Whatever the outcome, McCoy, who is viewed by many as a popular rising young star in education, could have other opportunities. He said Tuesday that he has applied for the presidency at Harris-Stowe State University, where a committee is interviewing candidates and plans to make a selection in the next several weeks.
Morris said the fact that McCoy is considering another position elsewhere has no influence on the board’s issues with him.
“We’re concerned about our district. That’s our only focus,†he said.
MULTIPLE CANDIDATES
The McCoy issue has resulted in eight candidates for the April 8 election. The last election that brought out as many was three years ago, after another controversial board decision on lifetime health insurance for McCoy’s predecessor. That was when Morris and the other incumbent running took their spots.
Now, the candidates are vying for three spots on the seven-member School Board. Two incumbents — Morris and Rob Chabot — are seeking re-election. Chris Martinez is not seeking another term.
Three of the candidates were interviewed and endorsed by a group that formed out of frustration with the current board’s action against McCoy. Some in the group had previously called for the current board to resign.
After the initial vote to place McCoy on administrative leave, the School Board officially released a statement that cited “differences in focus and philosophy.â€
It also said the leave was not an indication of wrongdoing. Some suspected the decision was related to McCoy’s outspokenness about school choice and the student transfer issue that brought 400 students to Ferguson-Florissant this year. Morris, a teacher before he came on the board, has denied that and accusations of his own personal vendetta against McCoy.
But after a board meeting that drew more than 1,500 community members, dozens of whom lambasted board members, the School Board raised other concerns. They reported inflated attendance data to state education officials and delivered a list of other charges to McCoy and his attorney that have been kept private.
At a forum for the School Board candidates last week, Chabot said some have been surprised he is running for re-election after people lashed out at the board for their decision about McCoy.
“This district needs leadership that is willing to make those tough choices when necessary. When you are faced with a decision that you know is going to create a firestorm within our community, do you choose the easy way out and not make the choice that you think is right?†he said. “Or do you buckle up, make the decision and take the hits. I’m willing to make those tough decisions.â€
MULTIPLE CONCERNS
Alfred Long Sr., a spokesman for the group that has endorsed the slate of three challengers, said the community has felt disrespected by the board, which has ignored their pleas to resolve their differences with McCoy for the good of the school district.
“Professionals are supposed to work those issues out,†he said. “ After there was such a strong show from the community, then they came up with a list of charges. It just smelled really, really fishy.â€
Even so, he said the group’s main concerns will continue to be student achievement, accountability, transparency and the district’s accreditation, which is hovering amid new state standards that could change the district’s ranking in 2015.
Members of the group believe diversity on the board is important too. In a district where the majority of the students are black, so are the three candidates they’ve endorsed — the Rev. F. Willis Johnson Jr.; retired principal Donna Thurman; and parent and district alumnus James Savala. The current board has no African-Americans.
Others on the ballot are parent and alumna Kimberly Benz, parent LaWanda Wallace and community organizer Larry Thomas.
But chances may be slim that McCoy will again take the helm of Ferguson-Florissant schools.
“It’s not just rabble-rousing about bringing Dr. McCoy back. These are experienced people who care about the children and care about the community,†Long said. “Even if Dr. McCoy goes somewhere else, we’ll still stand our ground as to what we’re standing for.
“It’s just a shame that it happened it like it did.â€