Former Overton ISD superintendent pleads guilty to theft
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

Former Overton Independent School District superintendent Mark E. Stretcher pleaded guilty in the Rusk County 4th District Court to theft of property by public servant.

William Brown, Rusk County District Attorney's investigator, said Stretcher was accused of stealing funds from the O school district and an investigation was conducted by the Texas Education Agency.

Brown said the investigation showed Stretcher stole approximately $16,000 from the district over the course of his tenure as superintendent. "Prior to issuing a warrant for Stretcher's arrest, Stretcher contacted an attorney and pled guilty to the charge on an information," said Brown.

Brown said when Stretcher resigned he gave the school board a check for approximately $10,000.

As part of the deal made with the Rusk County District Attorney's Office, Stretcher received five years deferred adjudication for the third degree felony, surrendered his Texas educators certificate and agreed to pay restitution to the school district said Brown.

Based on the amount reported by the TEA investigation, Stretcher would still owe the school district approximately $6000. "However there are still talks going on between TEA, Stretcher and the OISD board of trustees as to the actual amount they feel Stretcher still owes," said Brown. "If the investigation comes up with any new information about additional crimes by Stretcher, the Rusk County District Attorney's Officer will pursue those charges."

Under the terms of the deferred adjudication, if Stretcher stays out of trouble for five years the theft will be expunged from his record and he will have no record of a conviction. However, Stretcher will have a record of being arrested, said Brown. "If Stretcher violates these terms, he could serve two to ten years in the state penitentiary.

Stretcher pleaded guilty in front of Judge Clay Gossett, 4th District Court Judge. Also present during the sentencing were the new superintendent and the Overton school board. Stretcher was represented by Attorney Robert Perkins of Tyler.

Prosecuting the case was District Attorney Micheal Jimerson and Assistant District Attorney Richard Kennedy.

Stretcher, by surrendering his Texas educators certificate, can never teach in Texas again.