Dexter Suggs
Little Rock School District interim Superintendent Dexter Suggs has resigned from the district, the state Department of Education said Tuesday.
Suggs’ resignation comes amid evidence first reported by the Blue Hog Report blog that he plagiarized sections of his 2009 doctoral dissertation written for Indiana Wesleyan University. Suggs told KATV-TV, Channel 7, last week that the allegations were “totally false.”
More: Read details about Suggs’ settlement and severance package with the state.
Since then, author Georganne Scott said she was “shocked” to see passages from a 2005 paper she wrote included without credit in Suggs’ paper. She disputes Suggs’ claim that he obtained permission to use her work.
In a statement, the state Department of Education said Commissioner Johnny Key reached an agreement with Suggs that “resulted in Dr. Suggs’ immediate resignation …” It named Marvin Burton as the district’s new interim superintendent.
“The Arkansas Department of Education will work with the Little Rock School District to provide the high level of educational services required by the Arkansas Constitution,” Key stated. “Through this period of transition, we will work in a collaborative way with teachers, administrators, staff, and the community.”
Suggs has worked for the district as interim superintendent since Jan. 28, when the Arkansas Board of Education voted for the state to take over the district and dismiss its school board.
An official with the Indiana school said university leaders were aware of the accusations but aren’t allowed to discuss the particulars of any student or graduate.
Suggs’ settlement with the state education department includes:
- payments of $41,708.50 in salary and $4,500 in transition expenses to be paid within 10 days of the signed agreement.
- four payments of $50,500 to be made between July 1 and Jan. 1.
Part of Suggs’ settlement with the state says that if Suggs’ doctoral degree is “revoked, rescinded or otherwise nullified,” the state won’t have to pay any unpaid portions of Suggs’ severance or transition payments. The deal also bars Suggs from bringing any legal claims against his employer.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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