With barely two months left in Webster County School District Superintendent James Kemp’s current contract, members of the Webster County Board of Education agreed to retain Kemp for another four years.

While the new four-year contract doesn’t specify an exact dollar amount, it does lay out the terms of his salary to include “base salary based on ‘Rank I’ and years of experience, pay for extended days of employment, and superintendent’s increment.” Additionally, “annual salary modifications shall be mutually agreed to in each of the remaining years of this contract, provided said salary in each subsequent year shall not be less than the salary paid in the preceding year, and beginning in 2010-11 provided the superintendent shall receive cost of living adjustments each year no less than the average of step increases provided to other certified employees of the district (based on the district’s adopted certifed salary schedule) plus changes in state for certified personnel. At any such time as all employees of the school district receive an increase to their basal salary, the superintendent’s basal salary and extended days shall be increased proportionately.”

According to the Kentucky Department of Education, Kemp’s current salary is approximately $96,500, and Webster County Board of Education Chairman James Nance said that amount doesn’t initially increase with the new contract. Nance also said the new contract gives Kemp more vacation time (25 days in the new contract), and allocates a $400 monthly stipend for travel within the school district. Nance said Kemp uses his own vehicle for such travel.

The vote to approve the new contract wasn’t unanimous. Webster County Board of Education Member Sandi Jackson voted against the proposal.

“I respect my fellow board members, but at this time I cannot support Dr. Kemp, Jackson said, just before the vote was taken.

After the meeting, Jackson told The J-E she thinks the district needs “a change in the head of administration,” but declined to elaborate.

Others on the board expressed their support for Kemp and satisfaction with his performance as the district’s superintendent.

“The school district is going in the right direction,” said board member Tim McCormick. “Our school system is doing great. A disruption right now would hurt the school system.”

Board member E Carolyn Tucker, who voted against the renewal of Kemp’s contract several years ago due to the fact his wife lives and works elsewhere, said she is still concerned about that, but also shared McCormick’s sentiment about Kemp’s job performance. She also said she was disappointed the board waited so long to vote on the contract, with his current one about to run out.

In other business, the Webster County Board of Education had two guests in the audience who asked to address the board, but in both instances were directed to meet privately with Webster County School District Attorney Amelia Zachary, who attended Monday night’s meeting. Both of the guests — Polly Dunbar, who was transferred from her position to Providence Food Service manager, and Denise Walters, who was fired from her job as Annex cook — were told by Zachary that they wouldn’t be allowed to address the board.

As the board entered into closed session to discuss what to do with the former Providence High School property (see related story), Zachary told The J-E she advised the two women on “what they need to do if they want to bring this issue before the board.” She said the board doesn’t discuss personnel in open session.

Kemp declined to comment on the issue, citing personnel confidentiality.

The board also approved a recommendation from Kemp concerning Site-Based Decision Making policies for the coming school year, agreed to advertise for bids on soccer lights, approved a request to create a “junior high dance coach position,” and tabled two other items Kemp presented until their next meeting in April. According to Kemp, the SBDM policies concerning average student enrollment at each of the district’s schools won’t see a reduction in the number of teachers, and could mean some additional hires in support staff once the Webster County High School renovation and new construction is completed.

A series of consent agenda items, including trip requests and standard monthly reports were approved, and members then reviewed a list of personnel actions, including the resignation of Sebree Elementary teacher Jessica Ellis effective April 13, and Douglas Hess, vehicle mechanic, effective March 15; the employment of William Marks, annex custodian; Donna Gardner, substitute instructional assistant; Linda Dunn, substitute custodian; Stacy Williams, substitute cook/baker; and McCoy Chandler, WCHS boys/girls assistant track coach; change in assignment for Tracy Yancy as Food Service Assistant Director and Interim Bookkeeper; and Polly Dunbar, Providence Food Service manager; and the termination of Denise Walters, annex cook/baker.

At the end of the meeting, Webster County School District Assistant Superintendent Riley Ramsey presented information on a new security system being implemented.