The Richmond School Board apparently is deadlocked on how long to extend Superintendent Jason Kamras’ contract that ends June 30.

Sources familiar with the contract negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity told the Free Press on Wednesday that four veteran board members support extending Mr. Kamras’ contract another four years while four other members prefer no more than two years.

According to the sources, the School Board is aware that Mr. Kamras will not accept a two-year contract and, if one is offered, he would leave the district. That also may cause members of his administration, who have assisted in addressing and correcting years of past school district mismanagement, to leave. Additionally, the impact of his leaving also may stymie RPS’ progress as well as put in jeopardy the school district’s strategic plan— Dreams4RPS.

Mr. Kamras told the Free Press Wednesday that he would like to stay in Richmond as RPS’ superintendent. He declined to comment further.

Sources close to the board said board member Kenya Gibson, 3rd District, initiated an effort to restrict the contract term. They also said they wanted the public to know where board members stand on their support of the superintendent, a former National Teacher of the Year who took the helm in Richmond in February 2018.

He was hired at annual salary of $250,000.

Board Vice Chair Jonathan M. Young, 4th District, characterized himself as being in the middle of the debate and working to offer a compromise to move forward.

“I absolutely want to keep Mr. Kamras and extend his contract, even though he and I don’t always see eye to eye on some issues, which is healthy,” Mr. Young told the Free Press.

“I am very intent on forging board consensus as well as voting for what’s best for my district.”

He stressed that it is healthy for any organization to have differences of opinion on various issues.

According to the Code of Virginia, at the expiration of a superintendent’s initial term, he or she shall be eligible to hold office for the next term specified by the School Board, not to exceed four years.

Parents, teachers and staff voiced their support for Mr. Kamras’ leadership in letters read during the board’s January meeting and online comments.

One former board member believes changing the superintendent at this critical juncture would be catastrophic for students and families, district teachers and staff, to say nothing about overall morale.

The board’s next meeting will be held virtually 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan.19. The meeting will be streamed on RPS’ Facebook page.