Kalkaska superintendent will be paid after charges change
KALKASKA, Mich. (AP) — A school district in northern Michigan will pay its superintendent while he's on leave after prosecutors dropped felony charges against him and filed misdemeanors.
Terry Starr is accused of sending anonymous letters to Elk Rapids school officials in 2018, accusing a principal of sexual assault against a student years earlier. No assault occurred. Starr denies the allegations.
Felony charges were dismissed on Jan. 8 during jury selection in Antrim County court and replaced by misdemeanors.
The allegations against Starr preceded his hiring as Kalkaska superintendent. The school board voted Tuesday to keep him on leave but pay him as a sign of support. The Traverse City Record-Eagle said he had been suspended without pay last spring.
“Just hang on a little bit longer,” said Craig Mosher, a supporter whose children attended Elk Rapids schools when Starr worked there. “Because when this guy comes back as superintendent, he is going to do positive things for your school district, for your students — things that you will be cheering about years from now.”
Starr's next court date is Feb. 5.