Separation agreement- Joplin R-8 taxpayers pay a year's salary to teacher removed from classroom

During a September 24 closed session, the Joplin R-8 Board of Education approved a $33,154.94 payout to Joplin High School business teacher/coach Terrence Scott, who was removed from the classroom shortly after the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.

The amount is what Scott would have made if he taught in the district the remainder of the year.

In the agreement, which was obtained by the Turner Report through a Sunshine Law request, Scott to do the following:

-Help the district in the event any legal action is filed involving him and the district

-Not to seek employment with the district or to volunteer in the district

-Not file for unemployment benefits

-Not take any legal action against the district

The district is also providing Scott with a neutral letter of reference, saying he worked for Joplin R-8 from August 10, 2016 to September 24, 2019.

The "separation agreement" was approved by a 5-0 vote during the closed session with board member Brent Jordan abstaining. Those voting in favor were Sharrock Dermott, Lori Musser, Michael Joseph, Debbie Fort and Derek Gander. Deborah Gould was not in the meeting.

Scott was beginning his third year at JHS after teaching one year at North Middle School.

In addition to his teaching duties, he was an assistant coach with the freshman football team and head coach of the seventh grade boys basketball team.