Licenses revoked for school chief convicted of stealing

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A school district superintendent convicted of stealing school money lost his teaching and administrative licenses Friday.

The state Board of Education took a voice vote, without discussion, to revoke the license of Brian Kirk, a former superintendent of the Osage County School District in Linn. He led the district from 1992 to 2001.

He currently is superintendent of the Climax Springs School District, which hired him in August 2001 and has continued to employ him despite knowledge of his criminal past.

Kirk was convicted on two counts of felony stealing in January 2003, accused of using the Linn school's money to buy a hot tub, a chandelier, two televisions, shelving, two keyboards, two guitars, two road hazard kits, a leather chair and two garage door openers. The Franklin County Circuit Court later reduced one conviction to misdemeanor stealing and imposed suspended sentences and supervised probation for both.

With Kirk's license revoked, the next step is up to the Climax Springs School Board.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education spokesman Jim Morris said the district risks its accreditation status if it keeps Kirk as superintendent, though the department cannot force the district to remove him. He said Kirk's licenses were revoked immediately upon the board's vote.

Climax Springs School Board president David Gnu did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Kirk said he likely would appeal the board's decision in court. Until directed otherwise, Kirk said, he plans to continue working as the superintendent.

"They need a leader right now," he said.

Kirk said he regrets his actions but does not think he deserved to lose his teaching licenses.

"I know I haven't done everything exactly right, but I also know I've done many things very right," he said.