Despite a movement among supporters to urge the city school board to take a fresh look at former Columbus High basketball coach Luther Riley’s contract, no action was taken at the board’s Monday meeting.
With roughly 50 people in attendance at the meeting of the Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees, two Columbus residents spoke about Riley and the district’s June 8 decision to void his contract.
Ward 2 Columbus City Councilman Joseph Mickens, Sr. urged the board to reconsider their decision to void Riley’s employee contract, saying Riley was a “highlight for the community.” In his one season as the CHS boys’ basketball coach, Riley lead the team to a Division 6A State Championship.
Columbus resident Erise Williams supported the board’s decision, however.
“I was a strong supporter of Coach Riley, but I can’t allow him to come in here and tear this community apart,” said Williams.
Williams went on to claim Riley had already “set up” another job in March.
Before Williams could detail Riley’s alleged job offer, CMSD board attorney David Dunn interjected, saying specifics regarding personnel and performance could not be discussed in the open forum.
Contract disputes
Riley, along with other district teachers, was offered an employment contract over one month ago.
According to Riley, he declined to sign the contract immediately, instead requesting a meeting with CMSD Superintendent Phillip Hickman to discuss a pay raise and incentives for himself and coaching assistants. Hickman told The Dispatch he encouraged Riley to take his concerns to the district’s athletic director or to the CHS principal.
Citing Mississippi law that teaching contracts must be voided if not signed withing 10 days, the board voted 3-1 on June 8 to void the offered contract.
An attempt to rehire
In yesterday’s meeting CMSD board member Jason Spears challenged the Mississippi law suggesting school district employees must sign and return contracts within 10 days of an offer.
Despite Spears’ June 8 vote to void Riley’s contract, he motioned Monday for the board to “consider reinstating contracts voided under staff personnel on June 8.”
Board member Fredrick Sparks seconded the motion, but board members Currie Fisher and Angela Verdell opposed. The 2-2 voted resulted in the enforcement of the June 8 ruling. Board member Josie Shumake was not in attendance at Monday’s meeting.
A majority of audience members exited the meeting after the decision was finalized.
Anonymous donation
After some discussion, the board voted to accept an anonymous $750 donation earmarked for technology in the district. The donation was sent from the Memphis area, according to Hickman.
Verdell motioned to accept the donation, Sparks seconded the motion and Fisher, Sparks and Verdell voted to accept.
Spears opposed approval of the donation, expressing concern for “the unknown factor.” He did not want to accept a donation that could possibly have come from an illicit source.
The board also voted to change their regularly scheduled July 11 meeting to July 8.
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