Hancock County schools superintendent terminated in special meeting, shocking the community

The Hancock County School District Board of Trustees voted to terminate Superintendent Teresa Merwin in a special-called meeting Thursday night, according to a report from the Sea Coast Echo.

The board will begin a search for an interim and permanent superintendent immediately, according to a statement given to the Bay St. Louis newspaper.

Merwin is a relatively new superintendent and took office in May 2021. She began her duties on July 1.

Merwin has been in education for 23 years and began her career as a Hancock High School technology discovery teacher in 1996, according to her biography on the school district’s website. She’s since worked as a college instructor and principal.

The superintendent became known for her informational videos she’d post about school issues, happenings and rules on the Hancock County School District’s Facebook page. She was featured in a video about school conduct and dress code about 15 hours ago.

The Board of Trustees did not provide any other details about Merwin’s termination. The district posted a link for the agenda of the special-called meeting, but the file has since been deleted.

The news left parents and teacher shocked Thursday night, with many asking for more information on Facebook.

The Sun Herald will update this story as more information is available.