Richmond Public Schools parents and students, teachers and staff overwhelmingly voiced their support for Superintendent Jason Kamras’ contract to be renewed for four years.

During a public comment period at Monday night’s meeting of the Richmond School Board, more than 200 comments were submitted and read to the board, with people expressing their concern and desire to keep Mr. Kamras in Richmond and in charge of the 24,000-student school system to ensure continuity.

People and public officials said continuity has been lacking in the last 15 years.

Sources told the Free Press last month that the School Board was deadlocked over Mr. Kamras’ contract extension, with four supporting a two-year extension and four backing a four-year contract.

Mr. Kamras also said he would leave RPS if the contract was only renewed for two years, sources said.

A former National Teacher of the Year, Mr. Kamras became superintendent in February 2018 at an annual salary of $250,000. His contract expires on June 30.

School Board Vice Chair Jonathan Young said this week that the board has scheduled a closed-door meeting for Monday, Feb. 8, to hammer out the issue.

“That is the schedule. However, this is a moving target and is subject to change,” he said.

Mr. Young acknowledged the enormous support Mr. Kamras has from a range of stakeholders, including supporters who don’t have children in RPS. He is viewed as an inclusive leader with the ability to bring corporate and government officials together in supporting the school district’s goals, Mr. Young said.

Mr. Kamras sat through Monday’s hearing without expression. He declined to comment on his contract or negotiations, but has expressed his desire to remain in Richmond and complete his vision for RPS’ future. He and his wife also have two sons who attend RPS.

In their comments, people cited Mr. Kamras’ demonstrated love for all students, transparency and communication with families via his daily, online RPS Direct updates and email responses to individuals. Parents also said they are concerned that progress made during the last years as a result of RPS’ strategic plan, Dreams4RPS, would be jeopardized if Mr. Kamras leaves.

Andy Brower, a fifth-grade teacher at Mary Munford Elementary School, encouraged a four-year contract extension, saying, “Mr. Kamras has shown excellent leadership, love and compassion during his tenure. Mr. Kamras’ track record is not perfect, but his commitment has been noteworthy. He should be able to continue with his vision.”

Support for a four-year contract also has come from Mayor Levar M. Stoney and City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille.

In a Jan. 27 letter to the School Board, Mayor Stoney wrote, “Across the city, I hear resounding, positive feedback about Superintendent Kamras’ leadership from both RPS families and other community members. Richmonders, especially those from historically marginalized Black and brown communities, appreciate his deep commitment to equity and to communication.

“Historically, relationships between Schools and the City have been strained or worse, manifesting a shared mistrust. Superintendent Kamras, however, has prioritized relationship-building,” the mayor stated.

Mayor Stoney said “a four-year renewal promises stability, especially in these most volatile times. Even if COVID-19 were not ravaging our community, I would urge continuity of leadership at RPS — if not for the reasons already listed here, then because research shows that long-term, sustained leadership is a significant predictor of division-wide improvements in student achievement.”

In her Feb. 1 letter to the board, Dr. Newbille said, “Superintendent Kamras has shown, time and again, a deep commitment to all of Richmond.”

Her letter went on to state, “The Dreams4RPS is the first of its kind in our city—a comprehensive blueprint for Richmond Public Schools designed with deep engagement of our diverse community. It is our hope that we are able to see the strategic plan fully executed over the next four years.”

Among the public comments, Mike Kemetic wrote, “I deem any talk of replacing the superintendent during the pandemic as irresponsible.

“We need to move beyond ‘bickering as usual’ in this city and move in a way that is both progressive and responsible. You can’t do that if you keep the administration on a revolving door,” he added.