COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Former Quincy Superintendent Craig Artist waived his Branch County District Court arraignment Monday, after he was charged with a felony count of Public Money Safekeeping and a misdemeanor count of Child Abuse-Failure to Report.
Artist resigned from his position last month after a controversy erupted several months ago concerning the way officials in the Quincy School District handled sexual misconduct allegations against former teacher Jason Ferrell.
Artist’s attorney T.J. Reed told Judge David Coyle he would be pleading not guilty to the misdemeanor. A formal plea on the felony will be entered at a later time.
Pre-trial conferences on both counts have been scheduled for September 7, 2017 with a preliminary exam on the felony set for September 14. Artist remains free on bond.
Ferrell is facing six charges of criminal sexual conduct in Branch County including two first degree counts. He is also facing three C.S.C. counts in Calhoun County.
A status conference was scheduled Monday in Branch County Circuit Court. A motion to modify his $300,000 bond was filed August 3, 2017.
