While everyone in the Sports world is all, um, atwitter about the Grizzlies trade (and almost-trade) and the contract situations the team will face, we bring you news that the Shelby County Schools board extended Superintendent John Aitken's contract to 2015. It was set to expire in 2013, coinciding exactly with the planned date to implement a consolidated sountywide school district if Memphis voters (and judges) approve dissolution of the city's special school district.
The only board member voting against was Diane George of Collierville, who raised objections to risking $400,000 (Aitken's buyout) of taxpayer money if the new consolidated district decides to go in another direction for its leader. Aitken, whose degrees are from Henderson State and the University of Memphis (Master's) is in his second full year as superintendent after one year in administration that followed a career spent as a teacher and principal.
On an anti-consolidation Facebook page called "Children First, No Surrender," some were suggesting extending Aitken's contract even farther and adding an even larger buyout, to make sure nobody else gets considered as leader of a new consolidated system.
Some MCS board members believe they have a greater reason to extend the contract of Kriner Cash, their superintendent, out of concern that he could otherwise bolt during the interim and leave the district without a leader until a consolidation is implemented. Cash's buyout, by the way, is only 12 months vs. Aitken's 24 months, in the event a consolidation occurs and another leader is chosen.
The only board member voting against was Diane George of Collierville, who raised objections to risking $400,000 (Aitken's buyout) of taxpayer money if the new consolidated district decides to go in another direction for its leader. Aitken, whose degrees are from Henderson State and the University of Memphis (Master's) is in his second full year as superintendent after one year in administration that followed a career spent as a teacher and principal.
On an anti-consolidation Facebook page called "Children First, No Surrender," some were suggesting extending Aitken's contract even farther and adding an even larger buyout, to make sure nobody else gets considered as leader of a new consolidated system.
Some MCS board members believe they have a greater reason to extend the contract of Kriner Cash, their superintendent, out of concern that he could otherwise bolt during the interim and leave the district without a leader until a consolidation is implemented. Cash's buyout, by the way, is only 12 months vs. Aitken's 24 months, in the event a consolidation occurs and another leader is chosen.
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