JROTC instructor speaks out after resignation

HARRISBURG, Ark. (KAIT) - A JROTC instructor is speaking out after his resignation from the Harrisburg School District.

John Grayson said the school failed to keep the promises they made to keep him in the district.

“Nothing is open they’ll promise stuff in closed sessions even though people request open sessions,” he said.

During Monday’s meeting, the school board went into an executive session to discuss his resignation.

“I had no idea my resignation was going to be up this early, considering there’s an ongoing investigation,” he said.

In an email to K8 News, an attorney for the district said Grayson was “placed on paid administrative leave while the district conducts an investigation surrounding a social media posting made on a district Facebook page.”

The attorney said Grayson had not been recommended for termination.

Following Monday night’s executive session, the school board accepted his resignation.

“Everybody keeps asking questions and they don’t understand it, just like I don’t understand their thought process. So, today was a day to be transparent,” he said. “If they had fulfilled their promises, that they wrote down and signed off on, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Several of his students were present at the meeting. For Grayson, losing his students is what hurts the most.

“I’m not trying to quit on them, I do love them a lot,” he said.

According to the board, the resignation is effective Jan. 5, 2024, but Grayson is using sick and vacation time from now until then.

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