The Atlanta Board of Education approved a contract extension for interim Superintendent Erroll Davis on Monday. The board voted 7-2 to offer Davis an 18-month contract extension, but the deal also includes early termination options.
The new deal allows the board to fire Davis if there is a 5-4 vote to do so. He can also be terminated when a permanent superintendent is located and hired, giving Davis 90 days to vacate the job.
"So we're really just making sure when we go out and look for a superintendent -- we have to do that in the next year to two years no matter what -- and so we want to make sure that if we find that candidate, that we really are prepared to move the candidate in and Mr. Davis is fully on board with it," said APS Board Chairman Reuben McDaniel.
The vote ended a frustrating night for some audience members. Before approving the extension, the board went through six different amendments of various time frames and options.
The majority of parents who spoke before the APS board on Monday said they supported Davis, crediting him for restoring ability to the struggling district.
Davis, a former University Systems chancellor, came out of retirement to take the job. At that time, APS was in chaos and crisis after a nationally publicized cheating scandal. Its accreditation was even at risk.
"Certainly it's been an arduous task for Erroll Davis to come in on the heels of this. He took it on and a lot of people would not have done that. I think that he has shown that he wants really truly wants equity. He has shown engagement. Whether parents believe it or not, he has been approachable. He has had back to back meetings. He answers all of his e-mails," said Shawnna Hayes-Tavares.
Others said they were angry with Davis' decision to remove the entire administrative team at North Atlanta High School this fall.
"While much of what the superintendent has done has been positive and we have never disagreed with that, the events of October 5 have called into question his leadership skills and his ability to govern free from political influence," said one woman.
The nine-member school board had delayed the vote on Davis' contract on two other occasions. The extension required a super majority of at least seven votes.
Davis himself was not present for the vote. He left the meeting early to go on an undisclosed trip.
The new contract goes into effect in June and pays Davis $240,000 a year.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:48 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:48:00 GMT
Local families are taking a serious look at storm shelters in the aftermath of Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma.
Local families are taking a serious look at storm shelters in the aftermath of Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma. Those shelters could mean the difference between life and death when faced with one of these powerful storms.
A federal court has struck down Fayette County's at-large method of electing members to certain county offices, saying the method was a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
A federal court has struck down Fayette County's at-large method of electing members to certain county offices, saying the method was a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
Two Clark Atlanta University students who call themselves brothers despite being from opposite sides of the world have graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian.
Two Clark Atlanta University students who call themselves brothers despite being from opposite sides of the world have graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:46 AM EDT2013-05-22 09:46:07 GMT
Anthony Weiner's run for a renaissance is officially on.
Anthony Weiner's run for a renaissance is officially on. The ex-congressman whose career imploded in a rash of raunchy tweets two years ago said in a YouTube video announcement late Tuesday that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:17:02 GMT
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:52 GMT
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:25:20 GMT
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:21:42 GMT
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
Revel is bankrupt no more. The struggling Atlantic City casino formally emerged from bankruptcy court on Tuesday, just 13 months after it opened with sky-high hopes.
APS Superintendent Erroll Davis
