FFSD Board Grants Superintendent Davis A Leave of Absence

The Ferguson-Florissant School District (FFSD) Board of Education has approved Supt. Joseph Davis’ request for a leave of absence.  On Wednesday, Aug.16, Dr. Davis was taken into custody regarding allegations related to his previous school district in North Carolina.  Davis requested to be placed on leave to concentrate his efforts on getting this matter cleared, so he can return to leading the school district as quickly as possible.

Last Friday, Davis was released from jail after posting bail.

In the short time Davis has been in the FFSD, a new science and technology PROBE school has opened under his leadership and he championed a billion-word reading initiative to encourage kids to read more.

According to the audit of Washington County schools in North Carolina the former superintendent inappropriately spent federal funds on travel; paid for inflatable bounce houses for six school events; food at 17 events, and gift cards.

Davis’ attorney said he did not use a credit card from the Washington County Board of Education and had turned it in before he came to Ferguson-Florissant.

Board of Education president, Rob Chabot reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to students.  “Our focus is on providing a great education for our students.  Our hope is that Dr. Davis will return to lead the district; however, we have enlisted Deputy Superintendent, Larry Larrew to serve as acting superintendent until this matter is resolved.”

Prior to his tenure in North Carolina, Davis served as deputy chief of schools in Chicago Public Schools. He also served as principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels in the Wilson County schools system and as a special assistant to the superintendent there. He earned his doctorate in administration, planning and social policy and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University.

Leave a Reply