Ferguson-Florissant school board members, left to right, Donna Paulette-Thurman, Kevin Martin and Jocelyn Pugh-Walker, listen on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, as public comments are presented at a meeting at district headquarters.
Davis
ST. LOUIS COUNTY 鈥 Joseph Davis will not be returning as superintendent of the Ferguson-Florissant School District.
The north 51黑料 County district announced late Friday it has opted to keep the two interim leaders named in January after Davis was put on administrative leave. The board took the action after Davis was accused in two lawsuits of sexual harassment and discrimination.
The district鈥檚 school board said in its statement that it 鈥渄id not substantiate鈥 claims that Davis engaged in 鈥渋llegal conduct,鈥 but 鈥渂elieves that new leadership for the Ferguson-Florissant School District at this time is in the best interests of the students, staff and community.鈥
Frank Williams, former principal of McCluer North High, and Cedric Gerald, principal of McCluer High, both sued the district on Dec. 30, seeking damages for race discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation.
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Gerald, now a principal at the Riverview Gardens School District, accused Davis of routinely inviting him to happy hours during which Davis would try to initiate explicit conversations about Gerald鈥檚 personal life. Davis would not have done so if Gerald was not a gay man, the suit claimed.
Joseph Davis, superintendent of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, addresses the crowd during a meeting at McCluer South High School on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017.
Williams alleged he was unjustly removed as principal of McCluer North in the wake of several student fights in early February 2024 as retaliation after Williams refused a sexual advance by Davis. His lawsuit called Williams鈥 subsequent administrative leave and demotion to assistant middle school principal 鈥渉ighly unusual without any type of misconduct occurring first.鈥
District officials have denied the two principals鈥 allegations, saying the district looked forward to vigorously defending itself in court.
Joycelyn Pugh-Walker, executive director of federal programs, and Brent Mitchell, assistant superintendent of support services, took over for Davis on a temporary basis upon his leave. Board members said in a statement on Friday they鈥檇 announce the process for hiring a new superintendent for next school year within the coming weeks.
鈥淕iven our current financial realities, we also want to be transparent that this leadership change comes with a cost,鈥 board members said in a statement. 鈥淲e appreciate Dr. Davis鈥 service to the district and thank him for his contributions. For this reason, and in order to satisfy the District鈥檚 remaining contractual obligations to Dr. Davis (as his contract is not being terminated for cause), the District will be paying out the remainder of his contract.鈥
Joseph led the district for nearly 10 years. He was paid nearly $260,000 in 2023-2024, according to state records.
The leadership change has added more turbulence to the district already grappling with financial issues. District leaders have approved cuts to staff and supplies to offset a budget deficit, currently at $7.7 million, as the district deals with a multitude of issues.
Ferguson-Florissant hired 71 more positions than budgeted under Davis鈥 leadership. And district leaders are adjusting to the loss of pandemic relief funds, a decline in business and commercial revenue, rising costs of health care and benefits, as well as an overreliance on expensive contracted labor.
In their statement, board members pledged a 鈥渢horough and transparent鈥 search for Ferguson-Florissant鈥檚 next superintendent.
鈥淥ur goal is to identify a leader who will continue to move our district forward and uphold our commitment to excellence in education,鈥 the board said in its statement.
Post-Dispatch photographers capture hundreds of images each week; here's a glimpse at the week of March 2, 2025. Video edited by Jenna Jones.
