Cullman County School Board member James Thompson was one of two board members voting to extend superintendent Craig Ross's contract Thursday evening.

Following a contentious discussion, the Cullman County Board of Education voted 5-2 on Thursday night not to extend superintendent Dr. Craig Ross’ contract beyond 2017.

Had the board made no action, Ross’ contract would have automatically extended to June 30, 2018. As it stands, his contract would still expire June 30, 2017. The board still reserves the right to extend Ross’ contract next year, if they choose to do so.

Immediately following the board’s decision, Ross said it would have little impact on his day-to-day duties over the next two years.

“The board’s decision doesn’t really change what I’m doing on a daily basis,” he said. “I have always, and will continue to make decisions based on what I believe is best for the students of Cullman County.”

Board president Jason Speegle, who was among the five who voted not to renew the contract, said his decision came down to some disagreements with the superintendent that somewhat fall outside the direct purview of education.

“There have been some issues, not related to education at all, but some issues between the superintendent and board members,” he explained. “That’s what this vote reflects, I think. I had multiple board members ask me to add this to the agenda, and that’s why it was there.”

Board members who voted not to extend the contract include Speegle, Mike Graves, Kenny Brockman, Gene Sullins and Chris Carter. Only Wendy Crider and James Thompson voted to add an extra year to Ross’ tenure.

Following the vote, Thompson said the move shows the “shortsightedness of the board.”

Crider touted the new programs launched under Ross’ stewardship as reasons they should push to keep him on board.

“I’m really appalled and disappointed at the recommendation not to extend his contract,” she said. “In the time he’s been here, he’s done some incredible things, and he never, ever tries to take credit for that. Everyone has really stepped it up to do their part.”

Board member Mike Graves made the initial recommendation not to extend the contract, saying he wanted to delay the decision to see the results from the several new initiatives launched over the past year.

“It’s nothing personal to Dr. Ross, but I’d just like to see the end result of those programs,” he said.

Ross took the helm of the county school system a little over a year ago, as the system’s first appointed superintendent since the 2013 legislative change from elected to appointed.

His first year in office has brought some significant changes, with the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, the launch of a 1:1 technology initiative, the closing of Garden City School due to structural concerns, the launch and expansion of new career-tech programs, and a recent decision to shift more than 50 teachers aides to a third-party staffing firm to cut costs.

In June, Ross received an average rating of 3.5 from the school board as part of a superintendent’s evaluation, and exemplary marks from administrators. The board chose not to survey the community on Ross’ performance at the time.

Though Ross received a satisfactory rating on average, a closer look at the school board’s responses revealed varying opinions about the superintendent’s performance.

Separate board member ratings are released as part of the evaluation, though the board members are anonymous. Three of the board’s seven members rated Ross below satisfactory overall (2.4, 2.8 and 2.9) on a scale from 1 to 5, after averaging their separate data. Two board members rated Ross as satisfactory (3.2 and 3.6), and the final two board members rated Ross as above average and demonstrating excellence (4.3 and 4.7).

Ross received his lowest individual ratings in communication processes and reporting the status of programs and operations to the school board (2.7 in both). He recently put forth a communication plan in an effort to improve those issues.

Rocky road

Not long after taking the helm of the system, Ross experienced his first public relations issue in late 2014 — the recommendation to place Fairview High principal Dr. Chris Gambrill on administrative leave for several months while an audit investigation was conducted also brought the ire of that community, with hundreds attending board meetings to push for his reinstatement. The full audit findings recently came to light, and have reportedly kickstarted an ethics investigation into school operations at Fairview High.

In early 2015, the superintendent and board also experienced some public push-back to a recommendation and decision to purchase $1.2 million in Smith Lake property to avoid future access issues with the system’s existing Section 16 property.

No official appraisal was done to determine the exact value of the land beforehand (officials say it was valued at approximately $1.8 million), and the purchase was listed on the agenda as “property for an easement and right of way to Section 16 property.” The price was not included. The purchase occurred in November 2014.

Ross and the board maintain they followed all necessary steps, and that the purchase was “hidden from no one,” though some community members were upset the purchase was not more publicly discussed.

The superintendent also led a recent cost-saving push to shift teachers aides to staffing firm Appleton Learning. The move is estimated to save the system approximately $375,000 from the general fund each year, though some employees, community members and the Alabama Education Association (AEA) opposed the measure.

Ross also had the bad luck of being the man at the top when both Garden City School and Fairview High’s football stadium were condemned due to long-developing structural facility issues.

It would have potentially cost millions to restore Garden City, and the school was shuttered at the recommendation of the superintendent and vote of the board at the end of last school year — to some loud cries from community members pleading for it to remain open. Plans are still being debated over exactly what to do in regards to repairing and reopening the Fairview stadium.

I’m really appalled and disappointed at the recommendation not to extend his contract. In the time he’s been here, he’s done some incredible things…

There have been some issues, not related to education at all, but some issues between the superintendent and board members.

I have always, and will continue to make decisions based on what I believe is best for the students of Cullman County.