Friday, May 19, 2000
Head of Covington Schools steps down
James Kemp resigns after poor report
By Andrea Tortora
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — The superintendent of Covington Schools resigned Thursday, declining a one-year contract extension approved by the school board in December.
James Kemp has led the district for three years.
He will remain on the job as superintendent through June 30, the end of his contract, then serve as a consultant to the board until Aug. 31. As a consultant he will continue to receive the same rate of pay as his current annual salary, $95,000.
Mr. Kemp's attorney, Chris Mehling, said the superintendent has several other job opportunities.
Mr. Kemp's resignation comes as the school system undergoes intense scrutiny from the public and state officials after a March state report critical of the way the district provides services.
“I know we are all com mitted to the growth of this district and I want to be a part of that,” Mr. Kemp said. “However, in the last few weeks other opportunities have come available to me.”
In light of the problems now facing the district, Mr. Kemp said, he felt it would be best if he left.
“I have decided to decline your generous extension,” he said.
The district might also lose an assistant superintendent before the end of the year.
Assistant Superintendent David Craig said there is a strong possibility he will not return next year. Mr. Craig has until June 15 to renew his contract.
An overflow crowd of more than 80 attended Thursday's meeting.
The board spent the first 90 minutes recognizing student achievements and hearing public comments.
Many administrators and department directors who were asked last week to speak at the meeting in support of the superintendent did not. They said school officials asked them not to.
Marianne Chevalier, director of community service, spoke anyway.
She said the turmoil within the school system has created an atmosphere of fear and frustration and a watch-your-back attitude among staff.
“Things will never get better unless we all work to fix it,” Ms. Chevalier said to board members. “Are you going to be for the district or against it? If you are against it, then step down.
“Let's stop hurting each other. Let's find a middle ground and work together.”
The state is reviewing most areas of Covington Schools.
State education officials targeted five of Covington's eight schools for help next fall from state-assigned educators charged with boosting student achievement and improving teaching methods.
The 4,800-student district has had persistently poor performance on state exams. The district scored at the bottom of all Kentucky schools on last year's state test of basic skills.
The school board requested an academic audit, a management audit, a financial audit and a technology review from the state.
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