Former GEAR up Program Administrator Resigns from Co-Op

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A man involved in administering a Native American college-readiness program under scrutiny in South Dakota has resigned.

The Argus Leader reports the Mid-Central Educational Cooperative accepted the resignation of former GEAR UP program administrator Stacy Phelps Thursday.

Co-op Director Dan Guericke declined comment. A working telephone listing for Phelps couldn't be found.

Phelps last month also resigned from the state Board of Education. Gov. Dennis Daugaard said Phelps' departure was due to "many questions" surrounding the GEAR UP program.

The program's in the spotlight because of a murder-suicide involving two co-op employees. Authorities believe Scott Westerhuis killed his family and then himself hours after the state canceled a $4.3 million contract with Mid-Central to administer the federal GEAR UP grant.

State and federal authorities are investigating GEAR UP finances.

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