The Attala County School Board held a special called meeting Monday afternoon to accept the resignation of Ethel High School Band Director and General Music teacher Devin Morton.
Morton resigned following the disclosure he is under investigation by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and had been placed on administrative leave by the district pending conclusion of that probe.
Late last week, Rachel Ring, public information officer for the A.G.’s office, declined to comment about the investigation when contacted by The Star-Herald.
“Our policy prevents us from confirming, denying or commenting on the existence or non-existence of any investigation by the office,” she said.
According to local officials, however, investigators with the A.G.’s office arrived at Ethel High School around lunchtime the last Wednesday to question Morton in an ongoing investigation, the nature of which remains unclear.
“He was brought in for questioning. That’s all I can say right now,” said Sheriff Tim Nail. “This is their (the A.G.’s) case, but he was questioned at our office.”
Asked if Morton was placed under arrest in relation to the matter, Nail said, “not at this time.”
At the time, Attala County School Superintendent Bryan Weaver told The Star-Herald that the district is cooperating with the investigation and immediately placed Morton on administrative leave pending completion of the probe. When asked, he said a background check was performed on Morton before he was hired in August for the current school year.
“We’re cooperating with an ongoing investigation with the Attorney General’s office, but that’s about it,” Weaver said. “We’ll evaluated his (Morton’s) status based on the next couple of weeks (while school is out.)”
But heading off that review, Morton resigned Monday. That resignation was accepted by the board, and a new band director/music teacher will be sought for the remainder of the academic year.
