Superintendent recuses self from investigation

 

SOUTH POINT — The president of the South Point Board of Education said staff members at the middle school have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted into an incident that took place at the middle school last Wednesday.

Posts were circulating on social media purported to be of two faculty members angrily addressing a student.

Following the posts, the school board announced on Friday that an investigation into the incident would be conducted by Lawrence County ESC superintendent Jeff Saunders.

“I am aware of the recordings that were posted to social media and have since went viral,” Josh Parker, the board president, said in a post on Facebook on Sunday. “There is an appropriate procedure in place to handle these types of matters and the school board is committed to a just investigation before taking action and are following the appropriate procedure.”

Parker said the investigation is being handled appropriately and according to the law and that South Point Superintendent Mark Christian has recused himself from the process.

“While we have appropriated the investigation to be conducted by the county superintendent, Jeff Saunders, certain staff members have been placed on administrative leave,” he said. “The local superintendent has also been instructed to recuse himself from this investigation to ensure an unbiased and fair procedure.”

The board has scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, in which Saunders is expected to present his findings.