The Richland 1 School Board of Commissioners on May 13 authorized the board chair to execute an employment contract with Dr. Todd Walker to serve as superintendent effective July 1, 2025, approving a three‑year term through June 30, 2028, with an annual salary of $235,000.

The motion, made during an executive session on a personnel matter, was moved by Commissioner Devine and seconded by Commissioner Bishop and passed unanimously by the seven members present. Commissioner Devine read the motion into the record, saying: "I move that we advise that we authorize the board chair to execute a contract, con an employment contract with doctor Todd Walker as superintendent of Richland School District 1, effective 07/01/2025. Said contract having been prepared by the district attorney and reviewed by all members of the board and providing for a 3 year term of employment through 06/30/2028 at an annual salary of $235,000." The board chair confirmed the vote and the board announced the motion carried unanimously.

Chairman Lomenak, speaking after the vote, placed the hiring in the context of the board's selection process and community input. He thanked district information-technology and security staff for enabling the meeting and public streaming and said, "We appreciate all of the public input from the 5,000 plus contacts that we got to create that profile, which was invaluable, to the 200 to 300 people that showed up to the meet and greet, and to the 100 to 200 emails and text messages and calls that we have all received have really, truly been important to us." He also noted the contract had been prepared by the district attorney and remains subject to "final negotiations."

The board convened in executive session earlier in the meeting to consider the "office of the board personnel matter," and returned to open session to take the vote authorizing the chair to sign the contract. The motion as recorded authorizes the chair to execute the employment agreement; the superintendent's start date and the contract's effective dates appear in the motion text. The board did not disclose additional terms beyond the salary, term length and the fact that the contract was prepared by the district attorney.

No dissenting votes were recorded. Following the vote, several commissioners thanked colleagues for bringing the board together to reach the decision and for public input during the search process. The board did not announce a date for the public release of the executed contract or details about post‑approval negotiations.