Former Smithville Principal faces new hearing to revoke teaching credentials

A former Northwest Missouri school principal who was removed from office last year faces a hearing in August at which state officials will seek to revoke his teachin credentials.

The Smithville School District is cooperating with the new investigation into the actions of former principal Rudy Papenfuhs despite its agreement with him to end the case.

Papenfuhs filed a lawsuit June 19 that says the district violated the separation agreement by issuing defamatory public statements.

Last October, Papenfuhs and the district issued a joint statement saying the Papenfuhs provided students with gifts, went to sporting events with them, sharied medication and allowing students to drive his car.

The principal agreed he would no longer challenge the district’s decision to remove him from the high school and the district would take no more action against him.

District officials insist they had no intention to revoke his credentials, and refused the original demand for his records by state officials. The state obtained a subpoena ordering the district to supply its records, and the district has now complied.