Monroe Teachers Anticipate Dupree Hearing

Teachers are getting ready to welcome students back to school.

Sandie Lollie said, "Hopefully within the next 48 hours the superintendent situation will be resolved one way or another and we can go about the business of educating the students. Would we like for this year to be started in a different direction? darn tootin we would."

The school board is supposed to decide if superintendent James Dupree will keep his job, or not. They suspended Dupree in July, saying he had failed to meet goals set in his contract. Since his suspension, the board appointed an interim leader, but they are still divided. Their last meeting erupted in chaos over Dupree's suspension. Video from the News Star newspaper shows the meeting got so hot, a preacher stood up to denounce the board.

In the video, Minister Ike Bird said, "And if anybody sitting here tonight says that you have the spirit of the living God in you, you are a liar and the truth is not in you. I'm not coming back."

Lollie says teachers are doing their best, despite the ongoing drama and lack of leadership. "

Lollie said, "It's hard to be positive because we've been at this for several years now and it seems like just when you think its over, it comes back again. It's like a bad penny. You know you throw it away and its right back before you."

But with classes starting Friday, teachers have no choice but to brace themselves for either outcome.

Wendy Lasuzzo said, "It actually hasn't affected us, I don't think the teachers or the administration. We just go on as if everything is the same."