The same day Wayne County Public Schools interim superintendent Dr. James Merrill told every principal in the district that serious cuts were coming — and that nothing, including staff positions and teacher supplements, was safe from the chopping block — former superintendent Dr. Michael Dunsmore participated in a community forum as one of four finalists for Martin County, Florida’s open superintendent job.
Dunsmore, who was identified by the Florida school district as an adjunct professor at East Carolina University, abruptly resigned in June after an auditor revealed WCPS was facing a multi-million-dollar budget shortfall — a deficit Merrill said remains unresolved.
Wayne County School Board members have repeatedly blamed Dunsmore for the deficit, arguing they had “no idea” the former superintendent was spending more money than the district had in its coffers for the last several years.
Multiple administrators have contacted the New Old North over the last few days, saying they have been told everything from elementary school art and music programs to middle school CTE courses and teacher supplements are in jeopardy.
Martin County School District officials are expected to announce who gets the job Tuesday.
Merrill is poised to address the Wayne board at its October 5 meeting to disclose what cuts he deems necessary to balance the budget.
I don’t think that this would be a wise decision for this county to hire him being the mess he just made in Wayne co and up and walked out on
You cannot I repeat cannot give this man a job !!He stole millions from the children of our county. These kids don’t even have enough Laptops bc 5 million of the schools money cannot be allocated . He does NOT care about these kids and does not need to be in charge of anything, anywhere !!!! He may have gotten away with it here but he will answer to God !! Yes f you put him in charge your kids will suffer too ! Take the warning !!
I have reached out to the Martin County’s BOE. They are aware of Dunsmore’s actions.
Speak up and let them know what he did here. Marsha Powers is the BOE Chair for Martin County Schools. Contact her at powersm@martinschools.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm_WKWUfzak&feature=youtu.be
https://www.martinschools.org/supersearch