Edgar to remain as superintendent

Apr. 13—The St. Joseph Board of Education has decided it will not part ways with Gabe Edgar as superintendent of schools after his March 26 arrest that resulted in a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.

Board President David Foster consulted with board members on this after an emergency meeting Tuesday night, then made it official Thursday.

"After careful consideration of the allegations against Dr. Edgar, the progress the district has made under Dr. Edgar's leadership and consideration of many expressions of community support for Dr. Edgar, the board reaffirms its commitment to moving forward with Dr. Edgar as the superintendent," Foster said.

Citing concern for privacy, Foster did not answer questions on if the board has put Edgar on probation, suspended him or taken other punitive action that might change Edgar's day-to-day duties. Edgar said on Thursday that to the best of his knowledge, he will remain on the job in the same capacity as before.

"I'd like to apologize to the students and staff of the St. Joseph School District and to the St. Joseph community," Edgar said. "My actions brought a negative light to our district, community and my family, and for that I am sorry.

"I am taking steps, both personally and professionally, to ensure nothing like this ever happens again. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving as superintendent and will do everything in my power to make things right."

Beer and basketball

A trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol pulled over Edgar's Chevrolet Impala at 6:30 p.m. March 26 while driving south on St. Joseph Avenue near Cook Road. The trooper recorded a failure to maintain the lane as the reason for the stop.

The superintendent, who is identified in court documents by his legal name, Thomas Gabriel Edgar, took a breath analysis test at the scene.

The result was .113% blood alcohol content, according to a statement filed in court by the trooper that, in the trooper's opinion, explains why he had probable cause to arrest Edgar. The legal limit for blood alcohol content in all 50 states is .08.

According to the probable cause statement, the trooper observed Edgar's eyes to be "bloodshot and watery," said he smelled the odor of alcohol coming from Edgar and reported his speech was slurred. The trooper also said Edgar swayed while performing a field sobriety test.

Edgar said in an April 10 statement that he had been watching NCAA March Madness basketball earlier on March 26, drinking beer throughout. Edgar told the trooper he had consumed two beers that evening, according to the probable cause statement.

The trooper handcuffed Edgar and took him to the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center, where a second breath analysis test occurred. Edgar also donated a blood sample to verify his .113% BAC. That result is not yet public record. Authorities released Edgar from custody later that same evening.

Reached Wednesday by phone, Edgar's attorney, Jim Nadolski, said a discovery process is still underway, and until it is complete, he can't comment on BAC results.

On Tuesday, News-Press NOW filed a Missouri Sunshine Law request for the complete arrest report filed by the trooper, as well as any dashboard camera footage from his vehicle and any body-worn camera footage from the time of the arrest. Lt. Gerry Callahan of the highway patrol replied, saying a detailed response will take up to 30 business days to complete.

Legal implications

Richard Parks, Buchanan County assistant prosecuting attorney, charged Edgar with a single count of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated on April 10. Edgar is scheduled for his first appearance in court on May 22, before Associate Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Spencer.

Edgar admitted in his April 10 statement that the bloodwork taken on March 26 indicates he was over the BAC legal limit while driving. Asked Thursday if this means he will plead "guilty" or "no contest" in the case, he declined to say.

"I just think it's too early in the process to get into that," he said. "You know me, I'm not trying to hold anything back. But it's too early."

The State Board of Education, led by Charlie Shields of St. Joseph, is charged with disciplining teachers and administrators who run afoul of the law. The Missouri Legislature sets statute, while the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education interprets the law, creates the rules and enforces them in cases involving the St. Joseph School District or a peer agency.

"Missouri law (Section 168.071, RSMo) states that the State Board of Education may deny or discipline educator certification if the applicant or certificate holder has 'pleaded guilty to or been found guilty of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude under the laws of this state,'" said Mallory McGowin, DESE spokeswoman.

According to Cornell University, "moral turpitude" is an offense that "disrespects and shocks the public conscience," and/or is a "violation of the basic duties owed to fellow man." There is no indication that misdemeanor DWI fits this definition.

Edgar is a member of the Missouri Association of School Administrators. A statement of ethics is meant to be upheld by all members, in their capacity as leaders in their district, and across their community.

"This responsibility requires the leader to maintain standards of exemplary professional conduct while recognizing that his or her actions will be viewed and appraised by the community, professional associates and students," the ethics statement reads.

The future

Edgar began his tenure as superintendent on July 1, 2022, and is to serve through June 30, 2026. His compensation consists of $225,000 annual salary and various benefits. The board hired him on a three-year contract, then tacked on 12 months in February.

"Dr. Edgar has publicly recognized his poor judgment during the events that led to the current allegations and expressed remorse for his conduct," Foster said on Thursday. "The board does not condone Dr. Edgar's behavior and has taken steps to ensure this issue does not reoccur in compliance with policy and state law."

Marcus Clem can be reached at marcus.clem@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NPNowClem