Crossett School District superintendent Dr. Bruce Bryant was suspended with pay Monday following a report on legislative audit findings and a lengthy Crossett School Board executive session.
The board, voting 3-2 for the suspension, cited no reason for Bryant’s suspension but earlier in the meeting, prior to the executive session, the school district’s business manager Norman Hill gave a report on recent state Legislative Audit findings that showed two employees were receiving a significantly higher salary than what was approved in the district salary schedule.
The audit report included a March 12 management letter, saying that the district’s assistant superintendent and the football coach/athletic director are being paid more than what was approved in the district salary schedule.
The assistant superintendent should be making $79,567, according to the approved salary schedule. However, a contract totaling $99,276 was issued.
The football coach/athletic director should receive $63,505 based on the salary schedule but was making $72,764.
After returning from executive session, the board voted 3-2 to suspend Bryant with pay. Board members Jeff Langley and Eddie Goodson cast the dissenting votes. No time limit for the suspension was given.
Hill, the district’s business manager and business consultant for a number of school districts, agreed to serve as interim superintendent.
