Board gives superintendent new contract, then records a vote to terminate her contract

What happened

At its July 20, 2026 meeting the board voted 5-0 to approve a new contract for Superintendent Dr. Ronda Hightower from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. After a closed executive session, the same minutes record a motion by Mr. O'Conner, seconded by Mr. Williamson, "to terminate Dr. Ronda Hightower's contract," approved 5-0. The minutes give no reason or effective date. Dr. Hightower kept running board meetings in August and September and is listed as superintendent on the October agendas.

Why it matters to families

The superintendent is the board's only direct employee. The posted minutes do not say whether the termination vote ended her old contract to make way for the new one or ends her employment, so the public record is unclear. The board approved these minutes on August 17 without changes.

The evidence

July 20, 2026 regular meeting minutes: new contract 07.01.26 to 06.30.28 approved 5-0; under 'Other' after executive session, motion to terminate Dr. Ronda Hightower's contract approved 5-0. August 17 minutes: July 20 minutes approved 5-0. October 2026 agendas still list Dr. Hightower as superintendent.

The source