Berea Independent Schools announces change in leadership following community protests
By Shepherd Snyder
March 24, 2025 at 6:31 PM EDT
The Berea Independent School District is cutting ties with Superintendent Diane Hatchett amid community outcry.
That comes as district-wide staff cuts were announced during a school board meeting last week. Hatchett said the system “drastically overspent” their school budget during the meeting.
An online petition alleges financial mismanagement from Pratchett. It has more than fifteen-hundred signatures as of Monday evening.
Students and staff of the school system also staged a walkout last week in protest of the cuts.
A social media post from the school district says the group is “promptly” making a leadership change, with discussions currently ongoing.
Hatchett was originally set to retire at the end of the year.
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That comes as district-wide staff cuts were announced during a school board meeting last week. Hatchett said the system “drastically overspent” their school budget during the meeting.
An online petition alleges financial mismanagement from Pratchett. It has more than fifteen-hundred signatures as of Monday evening.
Students and staff of the school system also staged a walkout last week in protest of the cuts.
A social media post from the school district says the group is “promptly” making a leadership change, with discussions currently ongoing.
Hatchett was originally set to retire at the end of the year.
** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.