Committee: Sampson investigation could wrap up next week – The Selma Times-Journal

The Dallas County School Board could decide the fate of Superintendent Anthony Sampson at its next board meeting on May 23.

To do this, the panel’s special investigator must complete his interviews and submit a report to the panel. The investigative committee, which includes board members Mamie W. Solomon and William Minor, reported that the appointed attorney was missing at least two employee interviews.

Sampson was placed on paid administrative leave following a board meeting during the board’s last regular meeting on April 25. The Selma Times-Journal watched through the glass windows of the county commissioner’s courtroom as an attorney gave an oral report during that closed session.

Board member Melvin Flanagan-Brown reiterated her intention to file a motion to reinstate Sampson effective immediately, but attorney Hank Sanders, acting for board attorney Malika Fortier, said it was not clear whether the board had the authority to grant such a motion place.

“I don’t think it was clear that you could make a motion to reinstate the superintendent when an update was called for (in the meeting),” Sanders said.

Miles said Flanagan-Brown could put this on the May 23 regular meeting agenda, especially since the investigation is expected to be completed by then. Until then, Bridgette Carter will continue to serve as interim superintendent.

Two more interviews

Flanagan-Brown asked why the final two people were not interviewed.

“But my thing is we gave them two weeks of vacation, if you want to call it that, two weeks of paid vacation,” Flanagan-Brown said. “Wouldn’t she contact these two first so they can arrange the schedule?”

Solomon said those workers asked to have legal counsel present during the interviews.

“I have no problem with them meeting with their attorney,” Solomon said.

“I would suggest that they get their attorney involved when they talk to the investigator,” said Board Chairman Leroy Miles.

Solomon said there were two rounds of interviews. The committee provided a list of the people it had requested to be interviewed.

“We had some additional people who weren’t on the list, but that was in the first interview,” Solomon said. “The second interview was mostly about who we wanted to interview, just in case someone came off the street and said I had nothing to say.”

However, Miles did not want the lawyer to limit the investigation.

“If they have any evidence or whatever might assist this investigation, she (the attorney) can interview whoever is going to assist the investigation,” Miles said.

“Mr Chairman, with all due respect, we did not limit her to who she could and could not speak to,” Minor said. “It’s just what she wants to do.”

Final report

Solomon said the attorney is expected to provide a report to the board with or without exit interviews. She asked whether they needed a written report or an oral report.

Miles said he wanted a written report. Board member Mark Story asked that the report be presented to the board before the meeting.

“Mr Chairman, is it possible that if she has a written letter by Thursday at 5:30 p.m., is it possible that we as board members receive copies beforehand?” Story said. “Even just a few hours.”

Sanders suggested the written report be made available to the board and Sampson as soon as possible.

“That would be smart,” Sanders said. “Once the report is completed, I recommend that she send her a copy to the board and a copy to the superintendent.”

Completion of the investigation

Minor said they would not try to rush the investigation.

“We’re going to follow the guidelines that the attorney gave us, and that’s what we did,” Minor said.

Miles said he wanted to be fair to Sampson during the investigation.

“That’s why we decided to do an unbiased investigation so we wouldn’t have anything to do with it,” Miles said. “So it’s not something to be taken lightly. It’s a serious issue and you all know where we stand on it. So the chips fall wherever they fall along that line.”

The next regular board meeting will be Thursday, May 23, at 5:30 p.m. in the county commissioner’s courtroom.

After the update, the board went into a 15-minute board meeting. Following the meeting, all three principals invited the board to the graduation ceremonies May 20-22.