Atlanta school board members on Monday night took the first steps to extend the contract of Superintendent Erroll Davis, who was hired to lead the district temporarily but could wind up in office for two years.
Davis, the former chancellor of the University System of Georgia, was tapped in July to fill in as superintendent while the board searched for a replacement for Beverly Hall. But days after he officially took over, state investigators released a scathing report about widespread cheating in the urban district.
Board members moved quickly to secure Davis to a yearlong contract and Davis moved quickly in response to the cheating scandal. Most of the district's top leadership was removed, as well as about 180 principals and teachers named in the report.
Almost six months later, Davis says it's going to take more than a year to "get done what we need to get done." Board members appeared to agree, and voted to enter into negotiations with the retired business executive.
"There are people who thought they could wait me out on some of these changes, and this sends a different signal to them," he said.
Board members over the next month will work on the terms of the superintendent's contract, which will likely extend to June 2013. The terms are scheduled for vote on Dec. 15.
Atlanta Public Schools is facing a variety of financial and academic challenges in the months ahead. The district faces a $65 million shortfall next year if it doesn't curb spending. Questions have been raised about the validity of academic data reported on students. And there's still fallout from the cheating scandal -- many of the 180 educators placed on leave are still being paid while they await district termination proceedings.
North Atlanta High parent Yvette Boulware said she was elated by the decision. Boulware said she's found Davis to be open and available to the community.
"We know there's a lot on Mr. Davis' plate," she said. "He has to put out these fires as they come up, and he's done remarkably well."
Davis receives $240,000 per year, an additional $10,000 annually for travel and $10,000 for expenses. He will be paid about $27,600 in retirement benefits, or 11.5 percent of his base salary.
At least one board member originally objected to starting negotiations, but not because she doesn't like Davis. Yolanda Johnson, who represents Southwest Atlanta, wants Davis evaluated before they make a decision on his contract.
"We have anecdotal evidence [that] people feel better, but if he is doing such a great job, we should be able to document it," she said.
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