Quitman Superintendent Accused of Misspending Grant Money

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Quitman Superintendent Accused of Misspending Grant Money

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Quitman, Miss.
Posted: 11:17 PM Jun 29, 2008
Last Updated: 3:54 PM Jun 30, 2008
Reporter: Lindsey Brown
Email Address: lindsey.brown@wtok.com

12 comments

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State Auditor Stacey Pickering has ordered Dr. Suzanne Hawley, the superintendent of Quitman Consolidated School District, to repay $11,500 of grant funds that were allegedly misspent back to her former district, Benoit in Bolivar County, where she was also superintendent.

Pickering says Hawley and three other former district employees received "unapproved and unauthorized salaries through three grants awarded the district over the course of three school years."

In an interview with the Clarion-Ledger, Hawley said, " I haven't done anything wrong. I have spoken to my attorney. We'll be addressing the state auditor on Monday. I absolutely do not owe any money, certainly not."

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Curious Location: Quitman on Jul 21, 2008 at 06:43 PM
It's now July 21st. What is the follow-up to this story ? I haven't seen or heard any updates so far. I'd love for WTOK to do a follow up on this.

Posted by: teacher2 Location: Quitman on Jul 11, 2008 at 07:49 AM
I agree with many of those who have posted here. Dr. Hawley and at least one of the principals she has hired have turned our district into a downward spiral. Fantastic teachers are leaving because they are not treated with respect, not because things aren't "going their way." Many of them have been through five principals in the last few years and never had a problem until now (referring to the high school). I don't think the state auditor's office would put this in the news if their evidence wasn't sufficient to support their claim. Our Quitman residents need to think carefully before they elect school board members and we need an elected superintendent. Also, the school board needs to have experience in education, a college education and a genuine concern for teachers, and most importantly, the students.

Posted by: Panther Pride Location: Quitman on Jul 2, 2008 at 02:19 PM
By the way, Dr. Hawley has confessed. I do work for her, and I'll tell you now that since she took over, QSD has change dramatically from the beginning... and for the worst. Like some have already said, a very large percentage of talented teachers/employees have been fired/demoted since she has come. Many were given very stupid reasons for being let go. The truth is, Dr. Hawley is a dictator, and there are certain people who "jump" when she says "jump." Those people are safe. The ones who don't jump are fired/demoted. I've been worried for 2 years now...scared that I was going to be the next to make a wrong move. Now, God-willing, her true colors will come to light, and she and her croonies will be gone. QSD is a great school district with wonderful teachers (ones who are not only gifted teachers but ones who love the children AND KNOW THEIR NAMES!). It's time the community takes back what is theirs.

Posted by: Let the Sunshine In Location: Quitman on Jul 1, 2008 at 01:23 AM
What "Teacher" and "One of Many" said are right on target. QSD is sinking, people are literally fleeing the town. Our kids are watching *good& experienced* teachers being shuttled out for not bowing to the new methods (can you learn from memo sheets all day long? That's our new 'system.' That and one size fits all teaching styles.) GOod teachers are being let go or running away, you should see the for sale signs around here! Kids are confused. Who will be left to teach? Parents are not welcomed at some schools, PTO's are not functioning and many rules are being overlooked. I am not an empolyee or former employee, I am a parent, and this whole mess scares me for my kids' education. I have no ill will towards QSD but the Superintendant and Board must either wake up or change! We need an elected Super, and new Board elections to save our School. S.O.S !!!

Posted by: Terri Location: Quitman on Jun 30, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Yep, another fishing expedition, if QSD sneezes it is in the news, and better yet "The Click" loves to stretch it in any negative way they can. "The Click" is a group of people who cries if things don't go their way, and things hasn't been going their way. As far as QSD losing good teachers, it is a blessing for some of them to be gone. As far as Dr. Hawley, I think we still have innocent until proven guilty. I Still Stand behind our School Board and Super. You know you all still cry about the school board, but come election times no one runs..........WHY

Posted by: one of many Location: Quitman on Jun 30, 2008 at 10:20 PM
I am one of many who have fallen from employment due to Hawley and her henchmen! She has misrepresented herself from day one. If she did what she is accused of in Benoit, then you may be certain that she is doing it here! The lies and deception that is occurring Quitman is ridiculous! The town/school district has lost an incredible amt. of $$ since Dr. Hawley took reigns. Somehow, this town must decide how to regain a quality school system......this will require a board change and a super. change. Reality: any system that has such a high # of teacher/employee turnover should signal anyone that something is wrong! If you don't believe me, check the turnover rate. Oh, and check the budget numbers! It will surprise you! You'll never believe it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 30, 2008 at 06:00 PM
We do not know the facts and I will hold my final opinion until everything is out in the open. However, it sounds as if this is a fishing expedition to yet again shed a bad light on QSD as a district. I know of much worse situations at other schools that never make it to the news. This district has some of the best teachers, technology, and programs around and yes I know that there are always bad apples. I would much rather my child attend a school in QSD than a district that has technology from the stone age and elected officials that know nothing about education but are placed there because of popularity. There are already too many people in education in this state and country that are in it for political agendas and not for the enrichment of our children.

Posted by: teacher Location: quitman on Jun 30, 2008 at 05:34 PM
I do not know if Dr. Hawley is guilty or innocent; the legal process will take its course. However, Dr. Hawley has demonstrated her disregard for teachers and the community as a whole in numerous ways, and the school district would be better off without her. Our school board is composed of men who know nothing about education, and unfortunately, they sign off on anything she proposes. I am concerned about how the declining situation in our school district will affect economic growth and development in the community. Young parents are moving out in record numbers, many houses are for sale, and this can be attributed to a negative perception of the school district. How sad....

Posted by: Ketra Location: Quitman on Jun 30, 2008 at 03:38 PM
I knew this lady was up to no good. You reap what you sew. She invited the community into a former teacher's business. She wasn't all that she set out to be. To think she is in control of our children's future. What is this world coming to. Leaders like her are exactly why our community is so disfunctional today. Without positive leaders and role models our children are lying, cheating, stealing, and much worse. (But why wouldn't they...Dr. Suzanne Hawley is too.) Even if she is not guilty, she is a leader and therefore she should not have allowed herself to be in this predictament in the first place.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 30, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I know a lot of seedy characters in Quitman as well. Elections just prove that enough voters took the bait, not that the person is qualified to run a school system. There are pros and cons to both elected and appointed school leaders.

Posted by: JR Location: Stonewall on Jun 30, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Dear Clake Countians, Let's give Dr. Hawley a chance to prove herself. We all know that one can not do wrong and get by. I pray that she is not guilty of this issue.

Posted by: John Smith II Location: FormerQuitman Native on Jun 30, 2008 at 09:22 AM
If Dr. Hawley has done this in that district, then who is to say that it has not been repeated at QSD.This re-affirms my belief that these positions should be filled from within the community( elected not seleted).

Posted by: Dianne on Jun 29, 2008 at 11:33 PM
I always thought Dr. Hawley was a little shady and now we know why.