School chief’s case taken to state board

Supporters of Lee County School District Superintendent Willie Murdock took their complaints with the Lee County School Board to the Arkansas Board of Education last week.

The Lee County board earlier this year voted 4-3 to terminate Murdock, who is married to Rep. Reginald Murdock D-Marianna. Willie Murdock, however, remains on the job as the result of a Feb. 23 temporary restraining order issued against the School Board by Circuit Judge Chalk S. Mitchell.

Speaking on Willie Murdock’s behalf, attorney Bill Lewellen told the state Education Board that the local board has repeatedly refused to accept Murdock’s recommendations on staff hires, including that of a high school counselor who is needed to ensure that students meet requirements for graduation. Lewellen said the stalemate has put the district in violation of state accreditation standards and has indefinitely delayed what had been the district’s imminent release from the state’s fiscal distress program.

Murdock has been the district’s chief executive for longer than the current School Board has existed.

The state Education Board in April 2014 took control of the Lee County system because fewer than half of its students had scored at proficient levels on state exams over three years. The district’s elected School Board was dismissed but Murdock, in her second year as superintendent, was retained to manage the district under state supervision.

Achievement improved and a new School Board was elected in September 2015 to work with Murdock, whose existing two-year contract with the state will expire June 30. Her salary this year is $95,000, according to the contract information on the district’s website.

Lewellen presented to the state board a petition asking for the removal or suspension of the School Board members. He suggested that opening all School Board seats for election would be the best way to determine the will of the community in regard to school district leadership and operations.