GRAND LEDGE, MI (WSYM) - — Grand Ledge Superintendent Dr. Brian Metcalf has resigned from the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators Board of Directors Friday.
The board said the resignation was accepted unanimously and goes into effect immediately.
"The MASA Board denounces the statements recently made by Dr. Metcalf on his Facebook page regarding the death of Mr. George Floyd and feel strongly as the governing board of this association that his words do not represent the mission and vision of MASA and its members," the board said in a statement posted to their website.
In its post, the board said it will meet in the near future to discuss plans on replacing Metcalf and plans to formally appoint a new association president in the 2020-2021 year.
Currently, the Grand Ledge Public Schools Board of Education is meeting via Zoom to discuss the controversial comments made by Superintendent Dr. Brian Metcalf.
During the board meeting, the Grand Ledge teachers union said 85% of members voted "no confidence" regarding the comments made by Metcalf about the death of George Floyd. The contract says he can be fired if teachers don't have confidence.
Board Secretary Jon Shiflett apologized to members for not speaking up sooner in regards to the comments made by Metcalf. He told the board he should've spoken out against Metcalf first.
Metcalf's current contract is worth $252,464 including benefits and salary.
Metcalf is under fire for comments he made on his personal Facebook page about the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd, who died in the custody of Minneapolis Police. The four officers involved in Floyd's death have since been charged with murder and aiding and abetting murder.
Metcalf said Floyd was partially to blame for his death writing, "...it all starts with being a law-abiding citizen - had he not paid with counterfeit money, had he not resisted, had he not been under the influence -- then there would be no contact with officers; that does not excuse the officer; it just eliminates the conflict to begin with!! It starts with being a good citizen!"
During the meeting Board Secretary Jon Shiflett apologized for not speaking up sooner, saying he should've spoken out against Metcalf first.
However, the Grand Ledge Public Schools Board of Education issued a statement on Tuesday where the board president said the board didn't intend to fire Metcalf.
Early Thursday morning Eaton County Commission Chair Terrance Augustine announced on Facebook he signed an open letter recommending Metcalf be removed from his position.
"Dr. Metcalf's comments were not only unacceptable and not a reflection of the people, students and staff in the district, but also disqualify him to be superintendent of the schools," Augustine said in his post. "He must either step down or be removed from his position so Grand Ledge and its school board can take the right steps to reform commitment to diversity and a safe learning environment for all students."
Metcalf has since apologized but says his comment was taken out of context and said that he would enroll in diversity and sensitivity training.
But the backlash to the comments has continued from the public. The chair of the Eaton County Board of Commissioners is also calling on Metcalf to resign or be fired.
A protest is set to take place outside of the Grand Ledge School's administration building on June 8, calling for Metcalf to step down. The protest is being organized by a group called "Eliminate the conflict: remove Brian Metcalf".
