Education

Moore County school board votes to fire superintendent

The Moore County School Board on Thursday voted 5-3 to fire Superintendent Robert Grimesey during a closed-door session.

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CARTHAGE, N.C. — The Moore County School Board on Thursday voted 5-3 to fire Superintendent Robert Grimesey during a closed-door session.

Hundreds of concerned parents came to Thursday morning's meeting, with many expressing support for Grimesey prior to the board's vote.

The Pilot News reported Wednesday that the board asked Grimesey to resign after holding a performance review. No school board members have publicly commented on the decision to fire the superintendent or what may have led to his negative review.

"I had been tipped off that maybe there was a majority that was seeking my dismissal, but it was my hope that they'd at least go through the evaluation process," Grimesey said. "I was advised by my counsel by phone that the school board counsel was talking to her and that they wanted me out."

Resident Pam Reed said Grimesey –who was affectionately known as Dr. Bob – has done a good job as the county's superintendent.

"Dr. Bob is awesome because he's about relationships with the kids. Not even focusing so much on teachers and parents, but the kids in our schools, for the first time in over 11 years, know who the superintendent is," Reed said. "They identify a name and a persona with him because he cares about the kids. We've never had that."

John Dempsey, president of Sandhills Community College, also supported Grimesey and was shocked by his dismissal.

"This is some sort of a personality cabal that is absolutely not going to benefit the kids of Moore County, and it's going to set Moore County education back a decade," he said.

Supporters gave Grimesey a standing ovation following the board's vote. He then thanked them in a short and tearful speech.

"I hope that my family and I added value," he said to the crowd. "You were among the chief reasons for coming to Moore County."

Grimesey said he plans to stay in Moore County and continue his calling to "improve the lives of children" in the county.

Grimesey became the county's superintendent on July 1, 2014, after serving as a superintendent of Orange County (Va.) Public Schools from 2009-2014.

Former deputy Superintendent Larry Upchurch will serve as interim superintendent until a permanent replacement is found.

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