DAVENPORT -- Davenport school Superintendent Art Tate is not commenting after state investigators recommend charges be filed against him.
After months of investigating, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners has ordered a hearing for Dr. Tate.
"We will carry on, but under distress, as our superintendent is under attack from the state, our students as well," says Davenport school board member Rich Clewell.
The hearing is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at 1:00 p.m.
Dr. Tate, who was being investigated for illegally dipping into the district's reserves, has been charged with the following:
- Failing to comply with state law, in violation of 282 Iowa Administrative Code rule 25.3(6)(m)
- Willfully departing from or failing to conform to the minimum standards of acceptable and prevailing educational practice in Iowa, in violation of 282 Iowa Administrative Code rule 25.3(8)(a)
You can see the full Notice of Hearing here.
The board unanimously backs Tate, and so do many students.
"It's pretty nice knowing someone can actually help us," says Davenport student Josh Warren. "everybody deserves a fair chance at school, and everybody deserves an education. Everyone should have a fair shot at it."
Even with dipping into funds, Davenport schools are forced to cut more than$6M this year, more than $7M next year, then almost $6M the following year if the funding formula doesn't change.