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Shelby County board approves 18-month contract for interim superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond
Summary
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools board approved an 18-month contract for interim superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond with an annual salary of $325,000 and a 45-day notice termination clause; board members discussed evaluation timing and ethics provisions.
The Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Board on April 1 voted to approve a contract for interim Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond that sets an 18-month term and an annual salary of $325,000.
General Counsel Justin Bailey summarized the "high level material terms" of the proposed agreement, saying, "The proposed annual salary is $325,000," and that the contract runs for 18 months and "there is no payout for any early termination," giving the board flexibility to begin a permanent superintendent search during the term.
Under the contract the board must give 45 days' notice to terminate the interim superintendent unilaterally for reasons other than cause. Counsel also told the board the agreement allows termination for cause "upon proof of material breach of any provision of this contract, violation of any board policy, and or violation of any state, local, or federal law," and that a tenured educator would be subject to the board's ethics policy and the Tennessee teacher code of ethics.
Board members asked several clarifying questions before the vote, including whether the board could convert an interim appointment to a permanent contract during the 18-month term (counsel: yes) and whether the evaluation timetable could be moved earlier than the contract's annual-evaluation language. Counsel said the contract specifies an annual evaluation "no later than February 1 of each year," but the board may evaluate earlier if it sets a rubric and decides to do so.
The motion to approve the interim superintendent contract passed by recorded tally: seven in favor, one member recorded as present but not voting. The board did not announce a publicized individual roll-call listing for every vote on the record beyond the tally.
Board members referenced recent public comment from Sheffield High students and parents during the discussion, with Board member McKinney telling the interim superintendent to listen to students and avoid threatening suspensions when students express concern.
The board's approval authorizes the district to proceed under the contract terms provided to board members and posted on BoardDocs; counsel said copies of the proposed agreement were circulated to members prior to the vote.
