One year after Phenix City Schools superintendent Janet Sherrod was hired, her job appears to be on the line.
The Phenix City Board of Education is scheduled to conduct a called meeting today at 5 p.m. in the Success Academy, 1700 17th Ave.
In an email late Friday afternoon from board secretary Rachel Ham, the announcement of the meeting says, “The board will consider routine personnel recommendations, an Executive Session to discuss pending or threatened litigation, and a discussion of the Superintendent’s contract.”
But in a post Thursday night on its Facebook page, the Phenix City-Russell County chapter of the NAACP contends the meeting was called “for the removal” of Sherrod. The post declares a “CALL TO ACTION!!” and asks for residents to “join us … to show our solidarity and support” for the superintendent.
The Ledger-Enquirer didn’t reach any official before publication to learn more about this situation. But a clue comes from the board’s evaluation of Sherrod, attached to the June 13 meeting’s agenda.
On a scale of 1-4, the board’s seven members rated the superintendent in 10 categories. Their average rating is a 2 in all the categories, assessing Sherrod on:
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Being the CEO of the school board
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Educational leadership of the school system
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Personnel management
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Community relations
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Management of pupil and personnel services
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Communication, interpersonal relations and partnerships
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Professional development and leadership
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Technology management
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Facility management
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Financial management.
Randy Wilkes ended his eight-year tenure as PCS superintendent in June 2022, when he resigned to become the first superintendent of a new school district in Orange Beach.
After a yearlong search, the board voted 4-3 in May 2023 to hire Sherrod from Tuscaloosa City Schools, where she was executive director of learning support.
During that meeting, the board emerged from a closed session of approximately 15 minutes and, without public discussion, appointed Sherrod in a split vote. Katrina Collier-Long made the motion, seconded by Elliott Patrick. Board chair Yolaunda Daniel and Florence Bellamy also voted yes. Brady Baird, KeAnthony Brooks and Jonathan Taylor voted no.
Now, the same board members will decide whether Sherrod remains as PCS superintendent.
Sherrod’s three-year contract, with an annual salary of $185,000, runs through June 2026. The contract may be terminated at any time by mutual agreement of the parties.
The superintendent may unilaterally terminate the contract for any reason if she gives the board written notice at least 90 days in advance. In such circumstances, the board must pay Sherrod any compensation due until the effective date of the termination.
The board may fire Sherrod without cause if it gives her written notice at least seven days in advance after voting at a public meeting. In such circumstances, the board must pay the superintendent the compensation she is owed through the entire contract.
The board also may fire Sherrod for cause “but not for political or personal reasons,” the contract says. The contract defines cause as “incompetency, immorality, misconduct in office, insubordination, neglect of duty, or a conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or other good and just cause.”
In such circumstances, the board must notify Sherrod in writing the intent to fire her for cause and the specific rationale. Upon notification, she would be placed on paid leave and entitled to a hearing before the board. The board must wait at least 30 days to conduct the hearing.
During such a hearing, Sherrod may be represented by legal counsel and would have the right to present testimony, cross-examine witnesses and call her own witnesses.
At the end of such a hearing, if the board votes to fire Sherrod, the board’s obligations to her cease, and the contract is terminated.
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