This morning, The Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Board of Directors voted to approve authorization to negotiate an employment contract with Interim SPS Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones for the permanent position of SPS superintendent.
Today’s authorization came during a special board meeting that was called by Seattle School Board President Brandon Hersey. The authorization was approved by a vote of 6-1, with Director Leslie Harris having the lone no vote.
“I am so incredibly excited to move into this phase of the process and I know that this is what our community needs at this juncture,” said Hersey. “And this is what our students are demanding: stability and leadership who understands Seattle and, most importantly, a man who looks like the boys and teens that we are trying to serve. Not only that, one of the most intelligent, decorated, celebrated individuals that our city has to offer. If we’re talking about Black excellence and having a commitment to equity, it doesn’t get any better than Dr. Brent Jones.”
The decision to negotiate a contract with Jones comes two months after the start of a national search for a new SPS superintendent. Jones became interim superintendent on May 1, 2021.
“My mission is to create the conditions for students to thrive,” Jones after the approval of the authorization. “We are going to do that together and I’m appreciative of what we’ve done so far. It’s only been 10 months; it seems like a long time, but we’ve come through some real heavy, heavy times and we’re still standing, our students are strong, our staff are strong.”
According to SPS, with today’s board decision, the search for candidates – overseen by consulting firm HYA Associates – will pause until such time as the board and Jones reach agreement on the new contract.
“We want to make sure our students have a sense of belonging, a sense of identity safety and that they know that adults love and care for them,” said Jones, who graduated from Franklin High School, the University of Washington for his undergraduate degree. “It’s that deep connection that creates the best chance for our students to excel and reach their highest level of academic achievement.”
The board and Jones will begin negotiating immediately. Upon agreement, the board will vote on whether or not to approve the contract at an upcoming public meeting.
