Cobb Superintendent's Contract Tweaks Give Him More Power In Exit Terms

COBB COUNTY, GA — The Cobb school board amended Superintendent Chris Ragsdale's contract last month — and in the revised terms, he's allowed to leave his position with full pay if a "resolution panel" determines that he was subjected to "a sufficient level of inappropriate or unprofessional conduct" by a board member (or multiple members).

The amended contract was approved in a 4-3 vote in November — without discussion — along party lines, with Republican Board Chair Randy Scamihorn and Republican members David Chastain, David Banks and Brad Wheeler voted in favor while Democrats Jaha Howard, Charisse Davis and Leroy "Tre" Hutchins voted against it.

The contract changes were not made public at the time of the vote.

According to a copy of the amended contract obtained first by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, disputes between the superintendent and the board will be heard a specially-appointed resolution panel, which would consist of a hearing officer and a panel of three people with "academic expertise."

In the contract, Ragsdale could call for the panel to determine if he has been subjected to "a sufficient level of inappropriate or unprofessional conduct by a Member or Members of the Board that it meaningfully interferes with or otherwise frustrates the superintendent's ability to fulfill his professional obligations," the contract reads.

This includes but is not limited to:

• "Violations of board policy directed at the superintendent;"
• "Interfering with his performance of his professional duties or those of district employees directly or indirectly reporting to him;"
• "Interfering with or impeding his performance on any matter that could be considered by the Board in his annual evaluation;"
• "Engaging in actions intended to cast the superintendent in a false light, embarrass him or otherwise undermine his ability to be effective in the performance of his duties;"
• "Or otherwise undermine his ability to be effective in the performance of his duties;"
• "Or otherwise any behavior for which Georgia law would impose civil damages or other remedy."

Ragsdale is entitled to 90 days notice if he's to be terminated without cause, according to the contract. If the panel determines that "sufficient harassment exists," it could make recommendations to prevent the behavior from continuing — but Ragsdale has the ability to determine if the recommendations are "sufficient."

If he deems they are not sufficient, he could terminate his employment through another hearing and collect severance pay equal to the remainder of his contract.

Ragsdale's current annual salary is $350,000, with 25 vacation days, a $1,200 monthly car allowance, a 12 percent employer contribution to a retirement fund and other benefits. He's served as superintendent since 2015, and the board narrowly approved an extension to his contract until Feb. 10, 2024.

“It’s a matter of a little bit of reassurance, a little bit of job security” for the superintendent, Scamihorn told the AJC. “And a little bit so the board doesn’t act impulsively.”

This all comes on the heels of a special accreditation review of the district by Cognia, its accrediting agency. Cognia determined that most board members weren't following their code of ethics, were inconsistent in allocating resources and gave the district a year to make the recommended changes related to those problem areas.

The contract briefly acknowledges the longstanding issues between the board and the superintendent, saying that it's essential for the two to have "a productive and appropriate working relationship," and that's why the resolution panel will be convened for any disputes.

"The board and superintendent recognize that unresolved and progressively escalating issues related to board governance and the board/superintendent relationship represent the greatest threat to a school district endangering its accreditation," the contract reads under the Resolution Panel section. "It is the desire of the board and the superintendent to resolve work-related disagreements in the most expeditious manner possible and with the least disruption to the district."

Stacy Efrat, a parent who's part of the grassroots organization Watching the Funds - Cobb, told Axios that the contract changes are concerning due to the taxpayers' stake in the superintendent's salary.

"It effectively silences the board members for speaking up about any concerns they have," she said.

Superintendents in Atlanta, Fulton and Gwinnett school districts don't have the same termination clauses in their contracts, the AJC reported. The DeKalb superintendent can end her contract early if the board breaches it and does not remedy the issue within 30 days.

Related:

• Cobb Schools Maintains Accreditation, Given A Year To Make Change
• Cobb Schools To Undergo 'Unusual' Review By Accrediting Body
• Cobb Schools Special Accreditation Review Slated For August
• Cobb Schools Special Accreditation Review Begins Sunday
• Cobb School Board Narrowly Approves Extending Ragsdale's Contract