The Washington C.H. City Schools Board of Education unanimously accepted the resignation of Matthew McCorkle as superintendent Monday night following a lengthy executive session.
After the board emerged from the approximately 40-minute executive session, board member Jennifer Lynch read a resolution that was not originally on the regular meeting agenda. The resolution was to accept McCorkle’s resignation effective March 31 and to employ him under a consulting contract for administrative services. The contract essentially allows McCorkle to perform administrative duties until the board finds a new superintendent.
Lynch and the other four board members — Ken Upthegrove, Craig Copas, Jim Teeters and Jon Creamer — all voted in favor of the resolution. Board members once again refused to comment on the reason McCorkle’s job status had been in question and why he resigned, citing legal advice.
After the meeting when asked for more details, Upthegrove said, “I can’t. I wish I could, but I can’t.”
McCorkle, who is in his third year as superintendent, was present for the first portion of the meeting and provided his superintendent’s report. However following the executive session, he did not return to the meeting room. The Record-Herald was unable to reach McCorkle Monday night.
Following adjournment as board members were gathering their things and preparing to leave, an angry resident warned the board that he was “coming for their jobs.”
“These teachers, these children deserve an answer,” Donald Branham yelled. “This community is tired of it. You guys forced somebody to resign because you didn’t have the guts to come out and face your own community. You hid behind closed doors.”
The board also held a special executive session meeting last Thursday to discuss McCorkle’s job status.
At the beginning of the meeting before the resolution was announced, the outpouring of support for McCorkle from many in the community continued. Five residents, including three teachers, spoke highly of him and his character. Many also spoke out last Thursday in support of McCorkle.
Look for more on this developing story on the Record-Herald website and in our print editions.
