A former Atlanta Public Schools administrator named in the cheating scandal will remain on administrative leave from her new job as a superintendent in suburban Dallas while the district continues to weigh whether to keep her.
The Board of Trustees of DeSoto Independent School District held a business meeting that ran into late Monday night to discuss a possible voluntary exit agreement with Kathy Augustine, a former APS deputy superintendent. Board members discussed Augustine's future in executive session but took no action, as only four of the board's seven members attended.
"This is such an important decision that we want our entire board to be present. Until then, everything stays as is," said DeSoto school board member Sandra Wheeler late Monday.
Augustine spent only one day at work in her new post before the DeSoto school board placed her on leave with pay while they researched her involvement in cheating on state exams at APS. Augustine, who was the No. 2 administrator behind former APS chief Beverly Hall, is being paid $188,000 a year by DeSoto. If DeSoto parts with Augustine, then she would be the highest-ranking administrator to lose a job as a result of the cheating scandal.
“At this juncture the board has tabled any action until the next meeting,” said Beth Trimble, spokeswoman for DeSoto ISD. The next meeting is on Aug. 8.
Augustine was accused in a state investigation of APS of "illegally" withholding public documents, making false statements and "aiding and abetting" Hall in "falsifying, misrepresenting or erroneously reporting the evaluation of students" on the 2009 CRCT. She denies any wrongdoing.
Augustine was among a list of candidates recommended for the DeSoto superintendent vacancy. She told board members about the pending investigation into allegations of cheating at APS on the state exam, but board president Warren Seay Jr. said he had no idea she would be named in the report by special investigators.
Some DeSoto parents have asked for Augustine to step down. DeSoto parent Kim Fatica, who spoke before Monday's meeting, however, urged the board not to rush to judgment.
“America is founded on the principle that you are innocent until proven guilty,” Fatica said.
Seay said in a statement late Monday after the meeting that the board will continue to work on the matter. "We anticipate a swift resolution within a matter of weeks. It is important that the full board, all seven members, participate in the discussion and make the best decision for DeSoto school children."
Acting Superintendent Levetta Levels, a long-time district administrator, will continue leading the district, Seay said.
DeSoto ISD officials confirmed Monday that another high-level APS official was hoping to follow Augustine to Texas. Joyce McCloud, who worked as special assistant to the superintendent at APS, was seeking employment at DeSoto ISD. McCloud recently retired and was not implicated in the cheating investigation, but she worked closely with Hall.
"She applied to the district," Trimble said..
McCloud was in the process of applying online when the investigation was released. DeSoto ISD officials said the district had a chief of staff position open at the time, that has since been withdrawn. Trimble said it was unclear what job McCloud was seeking as her application "was incomplete."
State records show McCloud was paid $144,000 in 2010 as an APS employee.
Wheeler, who urged the board to vote against Augustine during the consideration process, said whether the superintendent voluntarily leaves or is asked to go, the separation could be costly.
“We are trying to find out what are the financial implications,” she said.
DeSoto ISD, a district of nearly 9,000 students, has a majority African-American population. Seay said the district has been recognized by the state’s education department, the Texas Education Agency, for its performance on state exams, and is working toward becoming an exemplary district.
Seay said DeSoto needs a leader who can push the district forward as it tackles a new state exam.
“We have a lot to be proud of,” he said. “We are preparing to be a role model for minority school districts across the country.”
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