By SANDRA BRAND
NEA Town Courier Editor
Following an investigation, the Blytheville School Board has begun proceedings to terminate Dr. Veronica Perkins as superintendent of the district.
According to a letter sent by certified mail to Dr. Perkins by Desmond Hammett, president of the school board, a formal public hearing has been set for Aug. 21 beginning at 6 p.m.
At that time, Hammett said the board will follow its personnel policy. This policy allows Dr. Perkins to be represented by a person of her choosing, present evidence and call witnesses.
However, if Dr. Perkins is not present at the meeting, the board will convene into executive session to discuss the reasons for her termination.
Having voted on Aug. 8 to begin proceedings to terminate Dr. Perkin’s contract, the certified letter lists the investigation results which have been made public.
The letter lists 21 reasons for termination.
“1.) The investigation determined that you approved the expenditure of the total sum of $141,000.00 to Climbing Higher Heights, LLC for Saturday school sessions during the 2023-2024 school year, which is in excess of the limit of $21,604.00 permitted for the purchase of commodities pursuant to Rule 7 .5 of the School Board Policy, without obtaining prior approval from the Board;
“2.) The investigation determined that you approved the expenditure of the total sum of $90,750.00 to Leading for Results, LLC for Saturday school sessions during the 2023- 2024 school year, which is in excess of the limit of $21,604.00 permitted for the purchase of commodities pursuant to Rule 7 .5 of the School Board Policy, without obtaining prior approval from the Board;
“3.) The investigation determined that you approved the expenditure of the total sum of $37,500.00 to Making Teachers Great for Saturday school sessions during the 2023-2024 school year, which is in excess of the limit of $21,604 permitted for the purchase of commodities pursuant to Rule 7.5 of the School Board Policy, without obtaining prior approval from the Board;
“4.) The investigation determined that you approved the expenditure of the total sum of $28,200.00 to Mindfulness Through Music for band-related instruction during the 2023-2024 school year, which is in excess of the limit of $21,604 permitted for the purchase of commodities pursuant to Rule 7.5 of the School Board Policy, without obtaining prior approval from the Board;
“5.) The investigation determined that you approved the expenditure of the total sum of $59,000 to Jerald Sanders for leadership professional development sessions and coaching and support services during the 2023-2024 school year, which is in excess of the limit of $21,604 permitted for the purchase of commodities pursuant to Rule 7.5 of the School Board Policy, without obtaining prior approval from the Board;
“6.) The investigation determined that you approved the expenditure of the total sum of $47,500 to SugarDitch Communications for public relations and community engagement services, from Dec. 6, 2022 through Oct. 2, 2023, which is in excess of the limit of $21,604 permitted for the purchase of commodities pursuant to Rule 7.5 of the School Board Policy, without obtaining prior approval from the Board;
“7.) The investigation determined that you approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Relay Graduate School of Education for teacher instruction services to be provided in 2024 and 2025, at a stated estimated cost of $93,000, resulting in a purchase order for a total due of $127,627.50, which is in excess of the limit of $21,604 permitted for the purchase of commodities pursuant to Rule 7.5 of the School Board Policy, without obtaining prior approval from the Board;
“8.) The investigation determined that you approved the expenditure of the total sum of $27,900 to Glenn Sain GMC in Kennett, Missouri for your personal vehicle on or about Feb. 12, 2024, which is in excess of limit of $21,604 permitted for the purchase of commodities pursuant to Rule 7.5 of the School Board Policy, without obtaining prior approval from the Board;
“9.) The investigation determined that you employed Patricia Kirby as a mechanic with the School District from July 23, 2023 through Feb. 10, 2024, at the rate of $25.00 per hour, which is in excess of the $21.00 per hour limit for mechanics as provided in Rule 8.1 of the School Board Policy, and paid her the total sum of $39,025, without obtaining prior approval from the Board and without the benefit of an employment contract, in violation of school policy;
“10.) The investigation determined that you employed Fredrick Kirby as a mechanic with the School District from Sept. 10, 2023 through March 8, 2024, at the rate of $25.00 per hour, which is in excess of the $21.00 per hour limit for mechanics as provided in Rule 8.1 of the School Board Policy, and paid him the total sum of $35,650, without obtaining prior approval from the Board and without the benefit of an employment contract, in violation of school policy;
“11.) The investigation determined that you employed Carl Miner as a bus driver with the School District from June 26, 2023 through May 1, 2024, at the rate of $25.00 per hour, which is in excess of the $21.00 per hour limit for bus drivers as provided in Rule 8.1 of the School Board Policy, without obtaining prior approval from the Board and without the benefit of an employment contract, in violation of school policy;
“12.) The investigation determined that you employed Jerry Kilgore as a mechanic with the School District from July 22, 2023 through Sept. 9, 2023, at the rate of $25.00 per hour, which is in excess of the $21.00 per hour limit for mechanics as provided in Rule 8.1 of the School Board Policy, without obtaining prior approval from the Board and without the benefit of an employment contract, in violation of school policy;
“13.) The investigation determined that you employed Glen Haley in some capacity with the School District from July 2, 2023 through Aug. 5, 2023, without obtaining prior approval from the Board and without the benefit of an employment contract, in violation of school policy;
“14.) The investigation determined that you employed Johnetta Orr as an interventionist with the School District from Jan. 22, 2024 through May 2, 2024, without obtaining prior approval from the Board and without the benefit of an employment contract, in violation of school policy;
“15.) The investigation determined that you employed Bobbie Diamond as an interventionist with the School District from Jan. 8, 2024 through May 2, 2024, without obtaining prior approval from the Board and without the benefit of an employment contract, in violation of school policy;
“16.) You have apparently relocated your residence to Sherwood, Ark., in direct violation of your employment contract, which requires that you continuously reside within the Blytheville School District during your tenure as Superintendent, which is expressly listed as a material breach of your contract in Section 8.1;
“17.) You thwarted the Board's attempt to fully audit and investigate financial and other matters by refusing to meet and cooperate with the School District's special counsel and representative, Jeremy Thomas, to review and explain issues of concern, including, but not limited to, your actions listed in this letter, which the Board considers as a direct act of insubordination and a dereliction of your duties;
“18.) At the close of the 2023-2024 school year, you removed all of your belongings from your office and ceased reporting to work, apparently abdicating your role as Superintendent;
“19.) Through a letter from your attorney, Renee Parker, to the School District's special counsel, Jeremy Thomas, dated Aug. 2, 2024, you indicated that you lack confidence in the Board's willingness to support you and follow your lead, and further stated that your time in Blytheville is coming to a close;
“20.) This matter remains under investigation and other issues may be discovered, but due to your lack of cooperation in the investigation, the items listed in this letter include only those the Board has been able to discover to date in your absence;
“21.) The lack of trust between you and the Blytheville School Board is beyond repair.”