Little Rock-based Arkansas Baptist College has terminated its president “amid lack of transparency,” according to a statement Monday.
In a news release, the college said Joseph L. Jones, who served at the institution for more than a year as its 14th president, was fired effective immediately.
Jones said Monday that he resigned from the college in an email to the board Friday, and trustees terminated him “for cause” in a Sunday letter. The letter — which Jones did not share because he has hired legal representation — did not state a cause, he said
The termination “was predicated on his lack of transparency with the [Board of Trustees] on issues that could place the board and the institution at significant risk of financial and legal jeopardy,” the college's statement said.
“The board has lost confidence in Dr. Jones’ leadership and judgment in order to guide the school to its greatest potential,” board chairman Kenneth Harris said in the statement.
The release also stated that Jones’ lack of transparency “prevented the board from having the information necessary to make timely decisions that would have been necessary to avoid the potential risks.”
Harris and Jones did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
Read Tuesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.