Jasper County school board ends superintendent's contract a year early

The Jasper County school board voted unanimously Monday to end superintendent Delacy Sanford's contract one year early, effective July 6.

He will remain with the school district as a consultant next school year and be paid no more than his current salary of $130,000, according to the board's agreement.

The board voted to end the contract after a two-hour closed meeting with Sanford's lawyer and school district lawyers. Board chairman Michael Hubbard said the board had discussed ending the contract for several weeks.

"There was a pretty good consensus between the board and (Sanford)," Hubbard said.

Sanford could not be reached for comment Tuesday or Wednesday.

The superintendent's contract offered a $10,000 annual bonus if he improved state-mandated test scores by a margin set by the board. He didn't meet the board's goal either year, and his scores on his annual performance evaluations were average, Hubbard said.

Hubbard had said in a statement that Sanford "has expressed a desire to spend more time with his family in Georgia and not continue as superintendent beyond the term of his present contract."

The superintendent signed a three-year contract with the 3,300-student school district in 2007. He previously worked as an assistant superintendent for Glynn County Schools in Brunswick, Ga., and was hired to replace William Singleton Jr. after a nationwide search.

The board and district personnel will use Sanford's consulting services as needed, but Hubbard doesn't anticipate Sanford will work full-time. He suggested Sanford could offer advice on some of the successful programs he started in Jasper County, such as single-gender classes.

The school board will announce an interim superintendent Monday, Hubbard said. The board likely will conduct a national search for a new leader.