The Cutter Morning Star School District has called a special board meeting for Friday to hold a termination hearing for Jann Gibson, principal of the elementary school.
The special meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the administration building. The hearing is the only item on the agenda.
Gibson's attorney, Robert Newcomb of Little Rock, said he planned to submit a request for an open hearing after Gibson received notification on Nov. 27 that she was cleared by the Arkansas Department of Human Services of child maltreatment accusations. The Division of Children and Family Services or Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division received two allegations on Oct. 6 involving Gibson, but the DHS ruled the allegations were "not supported by a preponderance of evidence" and both allegations were "determined unsubstantiated."
Gibson and Kent Wasson, a physical education teacher and coach, were suspended on Oct. 11 by the Cutter Morning Star School District pending an unspecified investigation. Wasson returned to campus in early November, but Newcomb said Superintendent Nancy Anderson previously notified Gibson of her intent to recommend Gibson be terminated.
About 60 guests attended the school board's next meeting on Oct. 30 and about two dozen wore black shirts with the hashtag #standwithjann. Frustration with the suspensions led parents to ask questions about the district's leadership and financial spending.
Board President Mark Rash said at the end of a two-hour regular session on Nov. 21 Anderson had the full support of the board and said their critics should "take a hike."
Local on 12/13/2017