RICHMOND, Va. -- The Richmond School Board voted 6-3 to extend Richmond School Superintendent Jason Kamras' contract for another four years.
"The School Board is right to renew Jason Kamras' contract for four years," Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney tweeted after the vote. "The students, parents and faculty of Richmond Schools deserve communication, continuity and compassion. He’s the leader we need. I look forward to our continued partnership as we make change for Richmond kids."
Kamras, 47, was hired to lead Richmond Schools in 2017. His contract was set to expire at the end of the school year.
While he did not receive a unanimous vote, he received enough votes for a contract renewal.
Despite his extension, multiple school board members spoke about issues that remain within RPS under his leadership.
Those issues included teacher retention, student success, and capital spending issues.
Board member Liz Doerr, who voted in favor of the extension, talked about the increase in membership and improved attendance rates under his watch.
She also praised Kamras about graduation rates going up even after the school system stopped "rubber-stamping" graduations.
Board member Kenya Gibson said that while the school system needed stability she did not believe that a four-year contract was appropriate.
Board member Mariah White said that she wanted to rate Kamras on his performance, not his personality.
Both against the contract extension.
Several rallies in support of Kamras and an extension were held in the days leading up to and the night of the vote.
Late last year he announced Richmond Schools would remain in a virtual learning environment for the 2020-2021 school year due to the pandemic.
Last week, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced school districts needed to present in-person learning plans to parents by mid-March.
This is a developing story.
