The Owensboro Public Schools Board of Education has voted unanimously to suspend Superintendent Dr. Matthew Constant without pay and begin the proceedings to terminate his contract “for conduct unbecoming of a superintendent.” While no criminal charges have been filed at this time, the board said they have been informed by police that Constant “did engage in a relationship with an adult-aged student enrolled in another school district.”
Board Chair Dr. Jeremy Luckett answered questions from the media following the board meeting. Watch that interview here.
Constant was nearing the end of the third year in his four-year contract. He started out making $149,000 per year, but after increases over the last two years was currently making $164,857 per year.
Constant had been suspended with pay as of May 25, when the board learned of an ongoing investigation by the Kentucky State Police into the actions of the superintendent.
“During the course of the investigation, the Kentucky State Police notified the board that while not criminal in nature, Dr. Constant did engage in a relationship with an adult-aged student enrolled in another school district,” a release from OPS reads. “Therefore, the Board has determined that Dr. Constant acted in violation of the Professional Code of Ethics and several Board Policies pertaining conduct unbecoming of a superintendent.”
OPS Board Attorney Sean Land read a statement to prior to the board’s vote. In part, it read:
Based upon the Board’s investigation, the Board charges that Dr. constant engaged in conduct that constitutes clear and unequivocal:
1) Conduct unbecoming of the office of Superintendent violative of the solemn trust place in him by the Board;
2) Dereliction of the duties imposed by KRS 160.370 and his employment contract; and, 3) Violations of the Board Policies 02.12, 02.14 AP.2 (Standard 7.3), and 03.17, and the Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Certified Personnel as established by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (as codified at 16 KAR 1:020);
The Board is of the substantial opinion that these charges constitute cause for removal from office and termination of Dr. Constant’s appointment and employment as Superintendent.
There is still an ongoing criminal investigation into Constant.
“The Board of Education takes no stance on the guilt or innocence of Dr. Constant in relation to the ongoing criminal investigation by the Kentucky State Police,” said Board Chair Dr. Jeremy Luckett. “However, we have enough information to make the determination that Dr. Constant acted in a manner unbecoming of what we expect for our students and their families, and therefore he is no longer capable of leading the district.”
With the change in the status of Constant’s suspension to one without pay, the Board will also have to notify the Education Professional Standards Board of the violation of the Professional Code of Ethics that took place.
Constant will have the ability to appeal the decision and address the allegations should he choose to do so.
Constant’s counsel told Owensboro Times they had no comment on Thursday.
Also during the meeting, the board approved Luckett to engage a superintendent search firm to aid in the selection of a permanent superintendent for the district. At this point, there is no time frame for that process to be completed, but an announcement will be made at a future board meeting once a firm is selected.
Anita Burnette will remain the interim superintendent of the district. Her contract runs through February 2024 with an option to extend if necessary.
This story may be updated.
