Inflation of the school's attendance records was among the state law violations that led to the state board's decision, Sandy Garrett, state superintendent of public instruction, indicated last week.
The revocation proceedings began in August, shortly after Couch, 54, of Vian was charged in district court with embezzlement of public funds after he allegedly took $100,000 from the school to purchase land.
An investigative audit continues at the school and audit officials have said that they are looking at over $500,000 in questionable expenditures at the school. That amount is "the largest dollar figure of questionable expenses" the auditor's office has ever found in a single school district, Terri Watkins, auditor spokesperson, said last month.
The Tulsa World reported Wednesday that Couch is planning to appeal the state board's decision to revoke his credentials. Fourth Scoufos of Sallisaw, Couch's attorney, did not return phone calls to Your TIMES. State officials said last week that Couch has 30 days to file an appeal.
Since the charge against Couch, Marble City School Board members have been unable to agree on a course of action against Couch, who has continued to serve as superintendent at the school. But Wednesday evening, that situation may change.
A special meeting is planned for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. According to the agenda, the school board "will discuss present educational and professional qualification status of Superintendent Larry Couch and consider the suspension or non-suspension of Couch of any and all duties and contractual obligations with the school, with an effective date."
The board will also discuss the employment or appointment of an interim superintendent, possibly vote to advertise for a superintendent, and discuss the Couch's resignation and cancellation of the remainder of his contract and consider reimbursement of money.
In the last meeting, the board took no action on a proposal to accept Couch's resignation and repayment of the $100,000, which came with a stipulation that the board request the district attorney place Couch on a deferred sentence without further monetary obligation or penalty in the criminal case against him.
A preliminary hearing for Couch has been set for Dec. 27 in Sequoyah County District Court.
