Despite Embezzlement Charge, Superintendent Back On The Job

Saturday, August 18th 2007, 1:58 pm

By: News On 6

SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) -- The school superintendent in Marble City accused of stealing $100,000 from the school is back on the job after a judge vacated a request seeking his ouster.

Superintendent Larry Couch is charged in Sequoyah County with one felony count of embezzlement.

State Superintendent Sandy Garrett requested a restraining order earlier in the week that would have kept Couch away from his job.

But Sequoyah County District Judge Jeff Payton vacated that order Friday, saying it could not be filed in a criminal case.

Garrett stepped in because only one of three school board members thinks Couch should be suspended and because Couch has not resigned.

Garrett says she'll meet with the state Board of Education next week in executive session to discuss filing a civil complaint in an effort to oust Couch.