Richmond County school board members ended months of controversy surrounding Superintendent Charles Larke on Thursday by approving a contract they never saw, never read and didn't know all of the details of, two board members said today.
Both A.K. Hasan and Jimmy Atkins said board attorney Pete Fletcher read "highlights" of the contract to them and other board members during a closed meeting Thursday night. Mr. Atkins told The Augusta Chronicle this morning that,to his knowledge, others on the board did not have a copy of that contract, even today.
Minutes after having the "highlights" read to them, the board voted 7-2 to approve the contract, he said, which is retroactive to July 1 and could be worth $277,000 should Dr. Larke receive all of his annuities.
"I think it's pretty ludicrous board members would approve a contract they hadn't had an opportunity to read," Mr. Atkins said.
Mr. Atkins and Helen Minchew were the only dissenting votes.
The contract enables Dr. Larke to retire as superintendent Oct. 31 and serve as consultant at the same pay until March 31.
The contract
View the full text of Charles Larke's new contract with the school board. (PDF)
Talk to us
What do you think about the school board's handling of Dr. Larke's departure? Talk about it on the Augusta.com staff blog.
Reach Greg Gelpi at 706-828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com
