Pullman board renews superintendent contract in open vote after public comment; one dissent recorded

The Pullman School District Board of Directors voted Feb. 26 to renew Superintendent Maxwell’s contract in an open meeting; one board member recorded a “nay.”

The item was moved for approval and carried after brief remarks and public comment urging the board to treat contract renewals as open actions rather than routine consent items. Resident Joe Thornton urged the board to move superintendent renewals out of the consent agenda and into open action items so the public could see the decision. “Renew the superintendent's contract as an open meeting action item,” Thornton said, adding concern that doing renewals in consent could obscure board accountability. Thornton also noted the district’s leadership continuity, saying the district “has had only 4 superintendents” since 1989 and warned that different handling of renewals could affect future recruitment.

Board members discussed process and public-access considerations before the vote. One board member noted that open-meeting law requires public access and said evaluations remain a private process; the renewal vote itself was held in open session. Director Greg moved approval of the superintendent contract renewal; a second was recorded and the motion passed. Director Craig cast the lone recorded dissent, saying “Nay.”

The board did not discuss changes to the superintendent’s contract terms during the vote. The meeting record shows the board will continue to perform superintendent evaluations in executive session, while taking the annual renewal to open session when members request it.

Board and staff remarks and public comment on this item may be reviewed in the meeting record; the board chair said the item was placed on the action calendar at the request of members. The board took the renewal vote immediately following the consent agenda and moved on to subsequent policy items.