In a surprise move, the Albemarle County School Board voted unanimously to extend Superintendent Matthew Haas’ contract on October 12 despite a petition calling for the administrator’s removal. Neither the discussion of the administrator’s contract or the vote were listed on the meeting’s agenda.
At the sparsely attended meeting, some school board members expressed their support for Haas and directly acknowledged the petition. “The reasons cited in that petition are either erroneous in attributing [decisions] to Matt, or show a misunderstanding of the issues,” said Kate Acuff, vice-chair and Jack Jouett magisterial district representative. Specifically, Acuff addressed the petition’s criticism of Haas’ role in the school renaming process, which was prompted and approved by the school board.
Other members of the board echoed these sentiments, arguing that Haas brings stability to the district and cannot be solely blamed for issues noted in the petition.
“I know that this school district needs the stability that Dr. Haas brings for the next number of years to continue to move us forward,” said Rebecca Berlin, White Hall magisterial district appointee. “I’ve spoken to a number of constituents, a large number of teachers, a large number of parents in the last year, and everyone feels like we have the momentum moving forward.”
The “Hire a New ACPS Superintendent” petition was started on August 20 by ACPS parent Paul McArtor, and quickly garnered signatures from other community members concerned about Haas’ performance as superintendent. Signees took issue with Haas’ handling of transportation, the school renaming process, the achievement gap, and communication. Also mentioned was Haas’ “failure to understand and consider ramifications” during the bus driver shortage, when the district informed parents and guardians of bus seat limitations mere weeks before the start of the school year.
“Dr. Haas has lost the confidence and trust of the public, including parents, teachers, bus drivers, staff, administrators, and students,” reads the petition, which gained 1,644 supporters before being closed.
While the petition cites many points of contention, no potential solutions or alternate courses of action were given besides replacing Haas.
Haas addressed the school board following the vote to extend his contract, saying, “My job is a humbling job, I am not perfect, and that is why I make it a point to learn something new everyday. Many days I don’t have a choice. It’s also why I am so focused on ensuring that our leaders and staff have the resources and support they need to fulfill that mission.”
For McArtor and other detractors of Haas, the sudden vote came as a surprise and a disappointment. “I think it was a slap in the face for parents and teachers,” he says. “Not only did they do this with no public input, when ACPS loves to send out surveys for everything, but there’s never been a survey of, ‘Hey, do you support the continuation of the superintendent? Or do you think he’s doing a good job?’”
At press time, ACPS had not responded to a request for comment on the exclusion of the contract vote from the school board meeting agenda.
While McArtor is upset with the board’s decision to keep Haas on as superintendent, he is committed to improving ACPS through oversight. “There’s not a wish or a desire for him to continue failing at his position, because … if he’s succeeding, the school system is succeeding and my kids are succeeding,” he says. “But … the shortfalls have been noticed. And he’s definitely under much more of a watchful eye than he was before.”