Embattled KY superintendent resigns as most of school board talks of leaving

Traysea Morsea officially resigned her position Monday as superintendent of Greenup County Schools, a district statement said Tuesday.

Earlier in November, school board members had voted to demote Morsea, but did not specify a lesser position.

Moresea continues to have a legal right to employment in the district due to her employee tenure, the Tuesday statement said.

School board attorney Jimmy Lyon recently confirmed to the Herald-Leader that Board Chair Mary Kay McGinnis-Ruark and vice chair Lance Warnock resigned, and board members Carl Cotton and Sandy Mosser have indicated they want to resign. That’s four out of five board members leaving the school board.

The moves were related to text messages between Moresea and some board members that were derogatory of special needs children in the district, Lyon confirmed.

Interim superintendent named

Steve Hall has been named interim superintendent of Greenup County School District, the Tuesday statement said.

Hall is a retired superintendent of Greenup Schools, serving as an administrator and superintendent from 2008 to 2014.

“Hall accepted the call to serve as Interim Superintendent, coming out of retirement to do so,” the statement said.

“This is not about me returning as superintendent… I’m here to continue our focus on students, support staff in serving students, and to build confidence again in our community,” Hall said in the statement.

The statement said Hall did not have “any further comment” about Morsea’s personnel status.

“We ask that the community give some grace and patience, as personnel matters of this complexity require careful thought and consideration,” the district’s statement said.

“This has been an extremely difficult year within our district. Greenup Schools is made up of hundreds of educators and staff whose goal is to serve your students,” the statement continued. “We sincerely hope that our community will consider them at this time — helping to regain a community climate that allows their morale to improve. The morale and pride of staff translates to better ability to serve students successfully, which is our sincere goal.”