Dr. Michael McFalls has been dismissed from his position as Superintendent of Grand County School District, with the school board accepting his “forced” resignation through a consent agenda vote during Tuesday evening’s meeting.
The separation agreement, dated September 10, 2025, and signed by both McFalls and Board President Melisa Byrd, states that McFalls’ employment with the district “terminates effective immediately.” Under the agreement, the district will pay McFalls $102,556.66 as the separation payment.
McFalls: “I am not leaving by choice”
During public comment at Tuesday’s board meeting, McFalls directly addressed the dismissal, stating he was forced to resign “without warning and stating no reason or cause.”
“I would like to declare that I am not leaving by choice. I am leaving at the behest of the board, not my own volition,” McFalls told board members. “I have done nothing illegal, immoral or unethical, and I’m proud of the work I have accomplished and begun.”
McFalls said he was told he was “not meeting board expectations without specifics or opportunity for mediation” and criticized the board for handling his termination through the consent agenda rather than requiring board members to take a recorded vote.
“Your vote will not even be a stand up vote, but a consent— determining a man’s career, family, future and direction of the district without having to go on the record,” he said.
A series of community members spoke in support of McFalls during public comment, with several calling his dismissal unjust and unprofessional.
McFalls began serving as Grand County School District Superintendent in May 2024, completing approximately 16 months in the position. He had come out of retirement in Texas specifically for what he called his “dream job.”
“I was retired in Texas, but for years I looked for job postings in Grand County as this was my dream job,” McFalls said during his statement. He noted that he had “anticipated this being my last position before complete retirement.”
During his tenure, McFalls said he had “purchased curriculum, developed progress monitoring, begun multiple new initiatives, and put a solid team into place.” He characterized the district as facing “significant challenges” including “declining enrollment” and “student performance near the bottom among Utah’s 41 districts.”
The separation agreement includes comprehensive confidentiality provisions, with both parties agreeing not to make “any disparaging, derogatory, or otherwise negative comments” about each other. McFalls agreed not to pursue legal action against the district, its board members, or employees, while the district agreed to provide neutral employment references.
Board Response and Timeline
The Grand County School District Board of Education declined to comment beyond accepting the resignation through the consent agenda, which passed without discussion. District officials have consistently cited confidentiality policies in declining to provide details about personnel matters to the Moab Sun News.
The board has not announced interim leadership arrangements or a timeline for finding a replacement superintendent as the district begins the 2025-26 school year.
Update:
The Grand County School District Board released this statement on Sept. 12:
With the ratification of the Superintendent Separation, Waiver, and Release Agreement, Grand County School District Business Administrator Matthew Keyes will assume the duties of Acting Superintendent of Education, effective immediately and until such time as the Board identifies an interim superintendent or a new superintendent is appointed. Mr. Keyes will oversee the day-to-day operations and management of the district and will be accountable to the Board of Education for the implementation of Board policies and statutes
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