Public commenters urge hiring transparency as Pullman board readies superintendent-renewal decision
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Summary
During public comment, residents demanded greater transparency in hiring and raised concerns about a budget-related staffing cut while others urged the board to extend Superintendent Bob Maxwell's contract; the board discussed the renewal process and set a March 1 decision deadline.
A string of public commenters at the Pullman School District board meeting on Feb. 11 urged greater transparency in district hiring and expressed sharply divergent views about the superintendent as the board discussed its annual contract-renewal process.
Natalie Heron told the board there is a “shared hope for positive change” but urged a formal review of hiring practices and transparency after a budget-related cut involving Wendy Krueger, saying the community must guard against the "appearance of preferential treatment." She cited a Whitman County Gazette article about leadership appointments and asked the board to ensure consistency and equity in administrative hiring.
By contrast, Lola (Wilma) Fields, a Sunnyside kindergarten teacher and building PEA liaison, urged the board to extend Dr. Maxwell’s contract, praising his de-escalation work with staff and parents and his advocacy for the district at the state level. "Doctor Maxwell has worked with the district administrators and the school board to maintain an economically viable district," she said, and urged collaboration over dissent.
A third commenter, Gabriel Laufer, focused on nutrition and curriculum and urged the board to prioritize healthy meal programs; he included religiously framed remarks about purpose and curriculum but acknowledged the board’s role is not to provide spiritual instruction.
The board then reviewed the annual superintendent contract-renewal process during a discussion item. Members explained the superintendent’s contract is maintained on a rolling three-year basis and that the board must act by March 1; if no vote occurs by that date, the contract continues automatically with a one-year extension. Board members noted the renewal is related to, but separate from, the evaluation process (a midyear review and a final review normally completed later in the year).
No formal action on the contract renewal was taken at the meeting; the board scheduled an executive session to complete evaluation-related work before adjourning.
Next steps: the board must decide on the renewal by March 1 to prevent automatic extension, and the board indicated staff will follow the usual evaluation procedures.