Harris suspect in theft investigation

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April 10, 2006

Superintendent put on paid leave; one of many suspects

By Brandi Hart The Zope Gazette Mon Apr 10, 2006, 08:04 PM CDT

4/10/06 — Royse City Independent School District Superintendent Mike Harris was put on immediate paid administrative leave Monday morning and is one of several suspects in an investigation regarding missing fuel from the district.

The RCISD Board of Trustees voted to put Harris on leave after a closed meeting held early Monday morning to evaluate Harris.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Harris said immediately after the meeting as he left the administration building. Harris has hired Rockwall attorney Keith Wheeler to represent him in the matter. Wheeler was out of the office Monday and did not return calls by Monday’s noon deadline.

Royse City Chief of Police Tom Shelton said Monday that Harris is one of several suspects in the investigation.

“We are investigating the possible theft of possibly several hundred dollars worth of fuel taken from the transportation department from the district. We’re going to use all the available resources that we have and we may even seek the help of an outside law enforcement agency to make sure that we have an unbiased investigation,” Shelton said.

The alleged theft occurred for approximately two to three weeks in the Fall of 2005, Shelton said.

The district has been investigating the missing fuel for the past several months, according to a press release issued after the meeting. The releases also states that, “this precaution is a standard practice taken pending the outcome of such an investigation, and is not an indication of guilt, nor is it an indication that the board has made a particular determination,” regarding Harris’ paid leave.

Harris was hired by the RCISD in March 2005. The school board approved a 3 percent raise for Harris in January and extended his contract for one year. Harris receives $125,000 annually, a $600 monthly car allowance, which includes gas expenses, and a $100 cellular phone allowance.

RCISD Board of Trustees President Bobby Summers that he hopes that, “everything will be cleared up quickly.”

RCISD Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Butler has been named the district’s acting superintendent. Butler is the fifth person to hold the superintendent title since 2003, after long-time RCISD Superintendent Bill Fort retired from the district.

They include Dr. Clint Carpenter, who worked as a full-time superintendent, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Mark Dodson who worked an acting superintendent, Interim Superintendent Buddy Echols, Harris, and now Butler.

Fort was expected to appear in the Rockwall County Court at Law Tuesday where his jury trial was being held.

Fort is charged with violating purchase procedures regarding a proposal that the RCISD school board approved Nov. 18, 2003, while Fort worked as a consultant for the district. The charge is a Class B misdemeanor. If convicted, Fort could face up to 180 days in jail and may have to pay a fine up to $2,000.

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