Miami Superintendent steps down
MIAMI, Okla. — Embattled Miami Public Schools Superintendent Nick Highsmith resigned Thursday night.
Some Miami residents calling for superintendent’s resignation amidst controversy
The Miami School Board met in executive session for about 30 minutes and when they returned to the public meeting, the board unanimously accepted Highsmith’s resignation.
Highsmith did not attend the school district’s special meeting and no reason was given for his resignation.
His resignation takes effect on June 30, but Highsmith will be on administrative leave for the duration of his contract.
Chuck McKibben, Board President, said no interim superintendent had been selected and the board was in the process of making a decision on who would fill the position.
There was no discussion during the meeting on whether Highsmith’s contract was bought out, or if it had been bought out, the amount of the buyout.
During the April school board meeting, Highsmith publicly took issue with his request for a raise becoming public knowledge.
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Education website, Highsmith’s total compensation package for the current school year is $162,844. The average superintendent compensation package for Ottawa County superintendents is $117, 837.
His resignation letter is posted below.
Highsmith, a Miami native, joined the school district in 2014. He was promoted to Miami High School principal in 2018, and Superintendent in 2021.
Highsmith came under fire the past several months from the community for the resignation of Andrea Berry, the former Wilson Early Childhood Center principal and for how he handled the SUVs that were surplused by the school, and later purchased by his family members.
Highsmith, who also purchased one surplus SUV, said at the April board meeting, the SUVs were sold at an online auction site and in compliance with district policy.
No one from the school board would comment after the meeting.
