QUINCY, MI (WTVB) – In light of the recent controversy involving a former Quincy school teacher, Quincy School Superintendent Craig Artist has submitted a letter of resignation for purposes of retirement which is effective immediately.
Attorney Robert Huber says Quincy School Board President Alan McClellan has provisionally accepted the resignation pending final Board action during their regularly scheduled meeting next Monday night.
In a letter to the Quincy School Board, Artist said, “Knowing that the district needs to start school with leadership in place, I am submitting this letter of retirement, effective immediately. It was never my desire to be on the school payroll when not actually working. I realize the district does not have unlimited funds, and it is not my desire to put the district in financial hardship.”
The resignation comes as investigations continue into whether Artist and Quincy High School Principal David Spalding properly handled allegations of sexual misconduct by teacher Jason Ferrell.
Both were placed on paid administrative leave in May by the Quincy School Board.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday night. An agenda has not been published but the board is expected to formally accept Artist’s resignation at that time.
Martin Chard is currently serving as the Quincy Interim Superintendent.
Many in the Quincy community have raised questions about how past and present Quincy school administrators managed allegations against Ferrell who is facing criminal sexual conduct charges in both Branch and Calhoun County.
Ferrell’s Branch County case is scheduled for a status conference in Circuit Court August 14, 2017.
The Branch County charges were filed in connection with alleged incidents involving one of his former students.
