Split decision produces vote of no confidence for Meyer

The Lakeland Joint School District School Board on Tuesday evening voted not to extend Superintendent Becky Meyer's three-year rolling contract for an additional year.

After discussing the matter in executive session, trustees were evenly split on the issue. Trustee Rob Irons made the motion to extend the contract, which Chairwoman Rena Olmstead seconded. Trustees Ramona Grissom and Michelle Thompson voted against the motion. Trustee Debbie Major abstained from the vote.

Being a tie, the motion failed. Grissom explained that "during this current climate we’re in with the COVID and all the upheaval everywhere" she didn't feel extending the contract was the responsible thing to do, but said her decision had nothing to do with the superintendent's evaluation.

Major asked if the vote could be revisited in nine months, to which Olmstead answered no because a vote of confidence was needed by July 1 to extend the contract.

"Voting not to extend the contract is a vote of no confidence in the superintendent," Olmstead said Wednesday evening. "My heart's broken."

Olmstead said she has been on the board the same amount of time Meyer has been at the helm of the district, and in those four years the district has gone from "in the red" to fiscally stable. She said transparency has increased, much-needed maintenance has been conducted and important programs have been implemented.

Meyer's current contract is for another two years. The school board votes on extending the contract one year every year following an evaluation of the superintendent.

"When you have a vote of no confidence from your board, you can’t stay in that environment. It's a very hostile work environment," Olmstead said.

"This vote will change the face of our district. And I don't think it's going to be for the better."

Meyer did not return a request from The Press for comment.