RICHMOND, Va. -- Dozens of parents and community members came together Saturday morning at Southside Plaza to rally for Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras.
"I'm writing Keep Kamras hashtag and then I’m going to write four more years," Richmond parent Richard Sebastian said.
The group took part in a car parade through the city to call on the school board to extend Kamras's contract for four more years.
“He's done a great job. Just communicating, building community and really caring about the kids," Sebastian said. "He’s got a strategic plan that we’ve never really had before.”
"We feel like he has been present in all those areas and representing all the communities and he’s working on all the issues that matter to the parents," Pam Booker, another Richmond parent, added.
Kamras’s contract is up on June 30, but the school board has yet to make a decision about his future.
Half of Richmond school board members support a four-year extension for Kamras, while the other half are in favor of no more than two, according to the Richmond Free Press.
“He sends out an RPS direct, let's us know if someone has a virus or anything like that and to go get their self-checkout," Latisha Erby said.
Erby, who has four kids in Richmond Public Schools and helped organize Saturday's parade, said she has been happy with his leadership during the pandemic and the decision to keep RPS virtual.
“I feel like we should stay on virtual, online. Even though it's not easy, it's safer," Erby said.
She just hopes the board makes the right decision moving forward.
“Come Monday I hope and pray that everybody votes for four more years or more," Erby said. "That's what I’m teaming with.”
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has also expressed support in Kamras getting a four-year extension.
The school board is expected to make a decision on Monday at their special called board meeting, which will start at 6 p.m.
As for students returning to the classroom, Governor Ralph Northam said Friday that school divisions should have a plan for in-person learning options by March 15.
