The School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) voted to extend interim Superintendent Kamela Patton’s contract for another year during a regular meeting on Wednesday. 

Patton has been serving as the interim superintendent since November 2024. This followed a split vote by the SBAC to fire former Superintendent Shane Andrew in October 2024. 

During an Oct. 15 workshop, where board members discussed the search for a permanent superintendent and what that process would look like, Patton said she would entertain staying an additional year if it was needed.  

Patton had already agreed to extend her contract for one more year in January to give more time to search for a permanent replacement and to allow a transition period between her and the next superintendent. 

That extension had Patton serving in the interim role until June 2026. 

With Wednesday’s second extension, Patton will now serve in her position until June 30, 2027. 

The second addendum to Patton’s contract not only extends the timing of her employment agreement, but it also includes an adjustment to her salary.  

This salary change would be “equal to the percentage increase provided to teachers in the Alachua County School District,” whether it be in the form of a salary raise or bonus, according to the addendum. 

The SBAC recently approved a 3% raise for teachers and staff.  

Patton’s contract currently includes a $19,500 monthly salary, equaling $234,000 annually. This is in addition to a $600 monthly automobile allowance, $175 monthly allowance for cell phone and $2,000 a month for living expenses. 

The 3% raise will bring Patton’s total monthly salary to $20,085.  

Before the vote, a few board members brought up concerns about the pay increase and the fact that the board wasn’t discussing Patton’s evaluation before considering the extension. 

The superintendent evaluation was on the agenda for the board’s workshop, which took place after its regular meeting. 

In terms of the pay raise, Board Member Tina Certain said she could be OK with the increase that was also given to teachers and staff. 

“To come up with a vision and to ascertain by talking with the board members and keeping abreast of where we need to be and her [Patton] way of getting us there, I think she has done a commendable job in doing that,” Certain said, adding that Patton walked into a “wreck.” 

Board Member Sarah Rockwell said she was also fine with the contract as presented. She noted that Patton’s “current total compensation package is less per month” than Andrew’s.  

“While she has a living stipend, she does not have insurance through the district, retirement through the district…those other benefits,” Rockwell said. “She is also currently making less than if we had an elected superintendent in the same county who was making the salary assigned by the state.” 

Rockwell said with Patton continuing in her interim role and “conducting a very intentional search process with time for onboarding of a new superintendent,” which the district has not done in the past, “I think we will continue on a very strong trajectory.” 

The board ultimately voted to extend Patton’s contract in a 3-2 vote, with board members Janine Plavac and Leanetta McNealy dissenting. 

Board selects new chair, vice chair  

Prior to its regular meeting, the board held its annual organization meeting, where it selected its new chair and vice chair for the upcoming year. 

Thomas Vu was voted the new chair, while McNealy was elected as the vice chair. 

Both board members were elected to their respective positions in unanimous votes after other nominations failed to pass. 

Board establishes meeting dates, times 

Also, during the organizational meeting, the board unanimously approved a recommendation from Patton to continue holding its regularly scheduled board meetings at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month, on the third Tuesday, if necessary, with the cancellation of the first meetings in December, January and July. 

As part of the approved recommendation, which came after some brief discussion, the board will also hold its monthly workshop on the first Wednesday of the month. 

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.