Olivia P Tucker
Times Reporter
Scott County School District 2 Board of Trustees suspended Superintendent Marc Slaton for two weeks without pay at their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 9.
According to a State Board of Accounts audit, District 2 failed to have proper internal financial controls and the district overspent between $4-5 million.
Board member William “BJ” Best said that the citizens were right at the board’s last meeting, that people had to be held accountable for what is going on in the school district.
He said that the board was made aware that there was a deficit in January of this year and the board was told that Slaton was made aware of bounced checks from construction projects as well as problems with the payroll that occurred December 2023 all for which the board was not notified.
On Jan. 23, former Chief Financial Officer Casey Brewster submitted a notice of retirement that was to be effective in July, Best said adding that Slaton and Brewster knew the financial status of the school district but failed to notify the board.
Best said, “On January 23, 2024, when the CFO submitted his retirement notice and later the same day Dr. Slaton was aware of the 2023 payroll situation and the construction check bouncing in 2023. Dr. Slaton was also made aware sometime in January 2024 that a similar payroll incident had occurred back in June of 2023, yet the board was not made aware of it.”
Best said that Slaton acknowledges trusting Brewster and not notifying the board soon enough on the status of the school district financially.
“Dr. Slaton acknowledges that he is being reprimanded for his actions, “ said Best, “That moving forward his conduct and job performance must meet the standards of expectations of the school board. Dr. Slaton has also acknowledged and agreed to adhere to correctives and expectations moving forward.”
Best also read a statement from Slaton who was not present at the meeting, “As superintendent and CEO of the school district, I accept the school board’s disciplinary action. I realized that the responsibility with the position I hold as superintendent and I am as frustrated, angry and embarrassed as anyone else in our district in this position.”
Slaton also wrote that he was made aware of the payroll issue in December but was told by the former CFO that there were textbook rental state payments and the tax settlement from Scott County, said Best.
“Dr. Slaton wants it to be known that he planned to advise the board members when he had good information, “said Best, “And that he realized he should of made the board aware of the financial issues sooner than he did.”
Board Vice President Jennifer Craig said to people in attendance that the last thing the board needed was to fire the superintendent and for board members to resign. She said if both of those things were to happen, the state appointed Distressed Unit Appeal Board would have to come in make cuts. She said that the board didn’t want to see that happening.
The school board voted unanimously to suspend Slaton without pay from April 10-23. Slaton will return to his position on April 24.