Local School Superintendent Charged with a Felony

Today, the State Board voted unanimously to suspend Marble City Superintendent Larry Couch, but he may be able to stay in school for a while. In an affidavit, Superintendent Larry Couch admitted to stealing $100,000 from the Marble City School System. He said, “I took the money. I am willing to pay it back and face the consequences for what I did, and I will resign today.” Couch is still the superintendent and some people aren’t happy. One parent says, "No, he doesn’t need to be teaching children if he did something wrong.” A local Board Member’s wife explains, "Its a really sad situation that Mr. Couch doesnt just say, okay this is happening and I’m going to turn in my resignation." Couch refused to talk about it. The State Board voted unanimously to draft a complaint to suspend or revoke Couch’s certificate. It will take time for this to happen, and even then, he’ll have a right to a hearing. The State Superintendent, Sandy Garret, says the local board has the power to suspend couch immediately. Garret says, "Ive never seen a board that failed to act for a Superintendent charged with a felony." One of the local school board members says he tried to hold a special meeting to discuss suspension, but he says Couch and his lawyer called the meeting illegal and then took out a restraining order.