The Atlanta school board is considering a contract extension for Superintendent Erroll Davis, the former University System of Georgia chancellor originally hired as an interim in July 2011.
Chairman Reuben McDaniel said Friday the board is considering an extension of two years or less, which could keep Davis at the helm of Atlanta Public Schools until June 2015. Davis had no comment.
“I think most of the board is in favor of the job he’s done,” McDaniel said. “Now, it’s a matter of do we extend, how long we extend.”
Davis, a retired business executive, was hired in July 2011 to fill in while the board searched for a replacement for Beverly Hall. Days after he officially took over, state investigators released a scathing report about widespread cheating in the urban district.
Soon after the investigation was released, Davis was given a yearlong contract, which was later extended to two years. He earns $240,000 per year, an additional $10,000 annually for travel and $10,000 for expenses.
In addition to working to rebuild APS after the cheating scandal, Davis led a massive systemwide redistricting, which led to the closing of seven schools.
McDaniel said he expects a decision on an extension for Davis by Oct. 1. First, the board plans to hold a planning session to decide where it wants the district to be in the coming years.
Julie Salisbury, co-founder of Step Up for Public Schools, a Atlanta-based parent advocacy group, said she supports the move to extend Davis’ contract.
“He’s willing to do the hard things,” she said. “That leadership — the combination of courage and capability — is what we need to build the foundation for the next leader.”
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