WACO ISD Superintendent Nelson Resigns
Superintendent Marcus Nelson has decided to resign after the controversy over his arrest for marijuana possession. His exit was announced by the school board on Thursday night.
As part of a "separation agreement" that was approved unanimously, Waco ISD will pay Nelson 96,000 over the next few months. News 10 reports that this was a decision entirely supported by Nelson. His resignation letter was read out loud to the board during their three-hour long meeting. Waco's chapter of the NAACP said this was not the outcome they had hoped for but respected the decision.
Waco ISD School Board President Pat Atkins said, "This was a major exercise in poor judgment, but I don't think this eliminates all the great things he's done for this community and I think it's something we're appreciative of."
Nelson's contract contained a specific clause that said the school board could terminate him for "good cause" which included "illegal use of drugs". He was arrested March 6th during a traffic stop and spent a night in the Robertson County jail.