The Columbus Municipal School District board unanimously upheld the termination of former deputy superintendent Craig Shannon on Tuesday night.
Following a nearly two-hour executive session, trustees agreed with Superintendent Cherie Labat’s initial decision to fire Shannon in October.
During a two-day hearing in December, Labat cited dishonesty and unprofessional behavior as a means for Shannon’s firing. Shannon claimed he was never given notice of any wrongdoing until he received his termination letter. Labat, who claimed she tried to work with Shannon on his behavior prior to his termination, was not present for the board meeting.
At the hearing in December, Labat said Shannon visited a potential district employee in Simpson County to “feel out” the candidate and “seal the deal.” Shannon claimed he was recruiting the employee with Labat’s approval. Labat refuted those claims. Labat also claimed Shannon threatened a current district employee’s job, without her knowledge.
Before Tuesday night’s executive session, Greenwood-based attorney Preston Rideout, who represented Shannon, asked the board if any members were related to Labat by blood or marriage. Each member said no. Rideout then asked if any member had a disagreement with Shannon or felt they could not be fair during the board’s vote. Each member again said no.
Shannon held his final statements during a one-hour executive session. The board then deliberated for nearly two hours before returning to regular session with their decision.
The board received a transcript of the two-day hearing on Jan. 11. Dolton McAlpin, the hearing officer who covered the December termination appeal, gave the board his understanding of the situation without expressing an opinion. The board also received the transcript of the testimonies from Labat and Shannon. During the board’s deliberation on Tuesday, they discussed the transcript and evidence at length before coming to a vote.
“Obviously the board takes this very seriously,” Board President Jason Spears said. “We wanted to make sure (we did) due process and that we evaluated all the information and discussed the transcript.”
The Dispatch requested the hearing transcript and Shannon’s termination letter, but school district officials declined to provide it, citing they were exempt from disclosure because they were related to personnel job performance.
Shannon worked at CMSD for 10 years, including a stint as Columbus High School principal before becoming deputy superintendent. The board appointed him interim superintendent in February — in the wake of former superintendent Philip Hickman’s firing. He served in that capacity until Labat’s arrival in June.
Both Shannon and Rideout left the meeting before the board’s vote was announced in public.
Labat would not comment on the board’s decision. When asked, Rideout did not comment on the board’s decision or if Shannon would appeal.
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