The Dunklin R-5 Board of Education voted April 17 to accept the resignation of board member Rick Arnold.
Arnold, who lost his bid for re-election to the Pevely Board of Aldermen in the April 3 election, has been embroiled in controversy since January, when his admitted use of “the N-word” in texts to Tony Moutray, who is now the Pevely Police chief, became public.
Complaints were filed against Arnold with Dunklin R-5 and the city of Pevely, and the Pevely Board of Aldermen took no action. The Dunklin school board authorized an outside investigator to look into the complaint, and at a March 20 meeting, board president Dawn Warner read a statement that said the board did not have the authority to remove a member, district communications director Matt Lichtenstein reported.
“The investigator reported it was an isolated incident and the investigator believes Mr. Arnold was remorseful about the text message that took place a year and a half ago,” the statement said.
Arnold, 56, of Pevely said April 18 that he felt exonerated by the investigator’s report, adding that his resignation was not related to the controversy.
“The report was very positive and (the Board of Education) said I did not need to resign,” Arnold said. “I’ve been on it (the board) since 2000 (not continuously). I’ve helped a lot of people. I’ve helped the district. I believe I’m leaving the district better than I found it.”
Arnold said he and his wife, Pevely Ward 4 Alderwoman Wendy Arnold, are starting to prepare for retirement and that is why he is resigning.
“It’s just time to work on me and slow down a little bit,” he said. “My wife and I in the next year and a half plan on retiring. I’m going to need time to get my life in order.”
Arnold said he and his wife have begun to look for a new home in Alabama along the Gulf shore.
Ever since the controversy around Arnold arose, he has maintained he used “the N-word” innocently as part of the phrase “N-word pie,” which he described as urban slang for something good. He later apologized to those who may have been offended by the term.
Dunklin R-5 leaders praised Arnold for his work as a school board member.
“He’s been on the board for quite a while,” Warner said. “We appreciate the time he’s put in on the board and wish him the best in whatever he is planning to pursue next in life.”
Dunklin Superintendent Stan Stratton echoed Warner’s sentiments.
“I want to thank Mr. Arnold for his service on the board,” Stratton said. “He cares deeply for the district and that showed in his time on the school board.”
Warner said the school board hopes to fill Arnold’s seat at its next meeting on May 22.
Those interested in applying for the seat may send a letter and application to the Dunklin Board of Education. The application is available at the Dunklin R-5 Central Office, 497 Joachim Ave., Herculaneum, or on the district website at www.dunklin.k12.mo.us. The deadline to apply is May 2.