By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – After only a little more than a year, St. Louis school superintendent Creg Williams has been forced out.
The St. Louis School Board, led by a new majority since April, voted Friday night to fire Williams and hire Diana Bourisaw. She used to be the superintendent of the Fox School District and had been hired by the St. Louis board to conduct an audit.
No reason has been given yet for his termination, but Williams publicly sparred with the board this week over the decision to oust Vashon basketball coach Floyd Irons.
Williams has been the St. Louis school superintendent for 15 months. The previous board gave him a four-year contract, with an annual salary around $250,000. Previously, he was an assistant administrator in Chicago and Philadelphia.
Board member Robert Archibald, who supports Williams, says the only ones being hurt by the firing of Williams are the students.
Earlier this week, Williams dismissed rumors that he had applied for vacant superintendent posts in Boston and Baltimore and vowed to stand up for his job. He released a statement this week (before his firing) saying he intended to fulfill his four-year contract.