Stewart County School System Director Has Not Resigned, Despite DUI Arrest

 

DOVER, Tennessee — Members of the Stewart County School Board appointed an interim director of schools at a special meeting Thursday, even though current Director Leta Jo Joiner has not officially resigned, one week after her DUI arrest.

Board Chairman Billy Sexton (pictured at the head of the table) told The Tennessee Star he expects Joiner will eventually resign, but he does not know when.

Board Member Gary Dacus indicated he had a problem with that.

“I don’t want, as a Board, for this to be dragged out,” Dacus said.

“I’ve been told she (Joiner) will have seven days on leave. I was also told 45 days. I heard something today about it being six months (of leave). I don’t know anything. But I think we owe it to the community and our school system to not let this drag out. She has more than a year’s worth of sick time, and this could be dragged out over a year.”

Sexton, however, told The Star that Joiner indicated to him she will not take a full year’s worth of leave.

Members of the Tennessee School Boards Association recommended that Stewart County School Board members appoint an interim director of schools now, regardless.

Dacus said he wanted to schedule a meeting to discuss accepting Joiner’s resignation.

Tracy Watson, a retired school administrator, accepted the position as interim director of schools. Watson said she only wants to serve as interim director and will not accept a job as Joiner’s permanent replacement.

As The Star reported last week, authorities arrested Joiner and charged her with driving under the influence.

“According to arrest records, the 57-year-old Joiner was booked in around 7:33 p.m.,” according to the Nashville-based WSMV.com

“She is due in court on Tuesday, May 28 to answer to the charges.”

The station went on to say Joiner posted bond a short time later, and authorities released her.

The Clarksville-based LeafChronicle.com, meanwhile, said Joiner took the position in Stewart County in 2014.

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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].