Here is a scanned copy of the minutes form the April 20, 2011 special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Starkville School District:

The next item is a copy of Superintendant Couey’s resignation letter:

Includes students and faculty.

The Board of Trustees of the Starkville School District accepted the resignation of Superintendent Judy Couey in a special called meeting at 1:30 today.

According to her letter of resignation, dated April 27, 2011, Couey left “due to my need and desire to focus on my health.” Her resignation will take effect June 30, 2011.

Board president Pickett Wilson announced that Assistant Superintendent Dr. Beth Sewell will serve as Acting Superintendent immediately with a 15% increase in her salary. Dr. Walter Gonsulin will stay as the only Assistant Superintendent for the district with a 10% raise in salary.

According to the minutes of the April 20, 2011 special board meeting, the board “directed the superintendent to immediately take administrative leave.” The board also authorized the board’s special consul to “consult with the superintendent, through her attorney, concerning her continued employment with the school district.”

Couey will take medical leave and vacation immediately till June 30, 2011.

When addressing reporters afterward, Wilson denied the rumors of embezzlement by school officials. She also denied the WCBI TV report that Couey was prohibited from visiting the district’s campuses.

Couey was not present at the two hour plus meeting, which had been delayed three times.

When asked if a financial settlement had been reached between Couey and the district, Wilson directed reporters to look at the time table between the meeting last week and the one that had concluded.

Due to the threat of severe weather conditions, all after school activities and practices in the Starkville School District are canceled.

SSD’s Extended Day program located at Overstreet School is also canceled.

At this time, there are no plans for early dismissal.

SSD will continue to monitor weather conditions and update parents with any changes to the school schedule via AlertNow voice and email messaging.

from noon today til 1:30 PM in the Greensboro Center.  This is the fourth time that this meeting has been moved.

Reports of damage in East Webster county are floating about.  East Webster High School gym and Wood Junior College campus are said to have major damage.  West Oktibbeha High is closed due to damage.

9:33: The Dispatch is reporting 3 deaths. One in Wester County, one inWebster COunty and one in Lafayette County.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Starkville School District Board of Trustees recognizes the enormous responsibility it has to the administrators, teachers,
students, parents and community, and the board is committed to fulfilling its obligation to provide the best education possible in an environment that fosters learning.

The board cannot, however, disclose the reasons for its most recent actions in executive session as it involves a personnel matter, and legally, the board is unable to provide further details.

The board is confident in the building level leadership at each school.

SSD’s Assistant Superintendents, Dr. Walter Gonsoulin and Dr. Beth Sewell, will continue to provide direction and support to the schools and other departments under their supervision.

“Our schools and our children are in very capable hands,” Board president Pickett Wilson said.  “Our administrators and teachers are focused on teaching and learning, and they will continue to be until the end of school.”

The board is meeting on Wednesday and expects a resolution at that time.

Nicole Thomas
Public Information Officer
Starkville School District
401 Greensboro Street
Starkville, MS  39759
nthomas@starkville.k12.ms.us
Phone:  662-615-0021
Fax:  662-324-4068