Harris suspect in theft investigation

Homepage

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.

Text Only

Local News

2012 LIVE ELECTION BLOG NOW ACTIVE
Click the following link to get into the action.

May 10, 2012 1 Photo
Ringo named Royse City High School principal
Dr. Brent Ringo will begin new duties on July 1 as principal at Royse City High School.

May 25, 2012
Rockwall prepares for Patriot Half
About 700 runners from 115 cities, 12 states and the District of Columbia have registered to participate in a Memorial Day event that’s being tabbed as the largest road race ever held in Rockwall.

May 24, 2012
IH-30 overpass town hall meeting scheduled for May 31
A town hall meeting will be held on May 31 to give Royse City residents an opportunity to receive information, ask questions and provide input regarding the upcoming construction of the Interstate 30-Erby Campbell Boulevard overpass.
The meeting will be held at the First Baptist Church of Royse City, beginning at 7 p.m.

May 23, 2012
School board member retires, but pledges to ‘be around’
For the first time in about 13 years, Dr. Rhonda Phillips-Black is not a member of the Royse City Independent School District’s Board of Trustees.

May 22, 2012 1 Photo

Sports

Royse City grabs 13th win
The Royse City Bulldogs pushed by the visiting Greenville Lions baseball team by a tally of 6-3 in Friday’s league bout.

April 24, 2012
Bulldogs destroy Denison
Tigers scratch Bulldogs
Bulldogs declaw Tigers
Lady Bulldogs take another pre-season game

Opinion

More law, disorder
If you thought last week’s assemblage of the bizarre and ridiculous from the legal system was as strange as it gets, then as Al Jolson would say “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” Here are some more of the weirdest happenings in our courts recently.

May 23, 2012
Jones explains lifting practices
I often hear people wondering if they should lift heavy or lighter weights.

May 22, 2012
Greetings may be in the cards for retirement days
As you can tell, I’m in the twilight of my work career.
To stress how anxious I am for retirement to arrive, I could say that I’m just dying to retire. But I’m not going to say that. I’m really not that anxious.

May 21, 2012
State rep. candidate Pruitt explains ease of voting
There has been a lot of confusion about the upcoming elections in Rockwall County because of redistricting. Here are some facts to make your trip to the polls easier and answer some questions that I have been hearing as I travel the new district.

May 8, 2012
Stranger delivers powerful act of kindness
If I ever think that nobody cares about their brother or sister human being, that everybody is in this life for themselves and nobody else, then I need to think again.

May 7, 2012

Homepage

Search Results

Harris suspect in theft investigation

Superintendent put on paid leave; one of many suspects

Site Map

Contact Us