PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KTHV) - The Pine Bluff School Board held a termination hearing Tuesday night for superintendent Jerry O. Payne.
According to Payne's lawyer, Keith Billingsly, the board voted to terminate Payne immediately. In addition, the board president and another member requested the keys to the district car Payne drives. He was asked to leave the facility immediately, and won't be able to clean out his office.
Billingsly says Payne's next move it to file a lawsuit to "assert what he believes is an improper firing pursuant to his contract." He also believes the board violated his rights to due process in terms of his termination. A decision on when to file suit has not been made.
The board, Billingsly says, indicated they will not pay Payne for the remainder of his contract. He says, "The Board has attempted to do a number of things that are simply not in compliance with Arkansas law."
Board members have named Suzette Anderson as the interim superintendent for the Pine Bluff School District. She's been the director of health and student services until now.