West Plains, MO. – Summersville superintendent Dr. Rick Stark is being charged with assault on a student during an incident in December.
Stark was charged on January 6, 2023 following an investigation by the school resource officer and Summersville Police with fourth degree assault, according to online court documents.
The investigation began after the SRO spoke with Summersville Police Chief David Garrett during a basketball game at the school and informed him about the assault on the student. According to the probable cause statement, security footage showed the superintendent putting hands onto the student.
The student told police Stark had shoved him, hurting his chest, during a confrontation in the bathroom where Stark had made negative remarks about the student’s brother who died in a 2022 car accident.
The accused is set to appear before Judge Douglas Gaston at the Texas County Justice Center on January 24, 2023.
