UPDATE: Monday, March 31 at 11 p.m.
Dr. Diane Hatchett is set to retire at the end of this school year, but she may be asked to resign earlier, as she has been put on paid administrative leave today. Parents say Hatchett allegedly overspent on meals and travel while attending out-of-state conferences. This came after she gave a school board meeting presentation explaining that the district overspent significantly.
“It is frustrating,” Chuck Morgan said.
“There’s been a lack of transparency and lack of communication in the last seven years or so,” Debra Morgan added.
Chuck, Debra Morgan, and their family have dedicated most of their lives to education. Chuck’s son and Debra’s brother-in-law, John Morgan, serves as the Berea School Board Chairman. Allegations that Berea's superintendent misused funds weighed heavily on their hearts.
“Certainly a blow to everybody,” Debra said.
Now, more than 20 staff and teaching positions are set to be eliminated.
“Those lives have been changed—young people who love education, who love working with children, who are good at what they do. Now their careers are brought to a standstill. It wasn’t their fault, but they are the ones bearing the brunt of the financial ramifications,” Chuck explained.
But today, Dr. Hatchett faced consequences as well. The superintendent was put on paid administrative leave while an investigation looks into her use of funds.
“Tonight was a good step in that direction,” Debra expressed.
School Board Chairman John Morgan kickstarted the process. The school board appointed Elmer Thomas, former Madison County Schools Superintendent, to serve in the interim.
Chuck feels that was the right call.
“It’s a small school, but it’s one that has a reputation for doing things right,” he stated.
While the Berea community pursues their permanent leader in a time of uncertainty, the Morgans believe everything will work out in the end, as long as they put the students first.
“I trust the school board now because they are very willing to listen to people,” Debra confirmed.
“We’ll get through this. I believe wholeheartedly, we will find a way to keep this program going wholeheartedly. We’ll be back... it’s just a journey,” Chuck added.
Thomas has a career in education spanning a few decades. According to School Board Chairman John Morgan, Thomas is coming out of retirement to fill this position.
The only concern attendees at the board meeting had was Thomas’s wages. Morgan shared that he would make more than $550 a day. Some attendees indicated that it was too much to give a temporary replacement when the school district is already in financial trouble.
ORIGINAL STORY:
In a meeting on Monday, Berea Independent Schools announced that current superintendent Diane Hatchett will be placed on paid administrative leave as an investigation into her time with the school is underway.
Elmer Thomas, a former superintendent for Madison County Schools, will serve in interim. He will be paid a daily rate of $568.
This includes 10 elementary school, 5.5 middle school, and 8.5 high school positions. Parents have questioned Hatchett's spending, as she allegedly flew first class for multiple trips during the academic year.
Berea High School students walked out in protest of the cuts on March 19.
The district will have 30 days after the end of their investigation to make a decision about Hatchett's employment, who is set to retire at the end of the academic year.
