Decatur Superintendent Placed On Paid Administrative Leave

DECATUR, GA — City Schools of Decatur Superintendent David Dude is now on paid administrative leave until further notice, pending an investigation into allegations regarding Dude underreporting his use of vacation days.

CSD board members unanimously made the decision at a last-minute executive session meeting Thursday night after almost three hours of closed-door discussions on Dude and other litigation against the district. Assistant Superintendent Maggie Fehrman will serve as acting superintendent while the investigation continues.

Decaturish broke the news first late Thursday night. It did not appear that Dude was present for the vote.

Board Chair Tasha White said the move to put Dude on paid administrative leave was "in the best interest for all involved." No further comment was given during the meeting or after the vote.

The decision comes just one day after two groups for Black parents within the district announced a press conference to call for Dude's suspension amid the ongoing investigation into his use of vacation days.

• Related: 2 Organizations Call For Decatur Superintendent's Suspension

The district faces five lawsuits under Dude's leadership, including two separate lawsuits filed earlier this year by two former employees who are suing it and Dude, alleging misuse of vacation days, retaliation and unpaid overtime wages. The most recent lawsuit, filed in January on behalf of the district's former human resources officer David Adams, is the one including claims of Dude not reporting time off while he was not working.

White issued a statement March 12 saying the school board would be rescinding Dude's contract and issuing a new one to clarify vacation day usage, and it would hire an independent investigator to look into the allegations. The vote to place Dude on paid leave Thursday night is the only other action the board has made since the lawsuit filed in January.

• Related: Decatur Schools To Overhaul Superintendent Contract Amid Lawsuits

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