Clark County School Board to consider extension of Jara’s contract
The Clark County School Board will vote next week on a recommended contract extension for its only employee, Superintendent Jesus Jara, a move that would end a dispute over a clause in his current contract.
An amendment to Jara’s contract is included on the board’s May 15 agenda for discussion and possible action and would extend the contract from June 19, 2018, to Jan. 15, 2023.
The term of the contract had recently come under dispute, with attorneys for Jara arguing that it had auto-renewed for two years and an attorney for the School Board arguing that it would end in June.
An affirmative vote by board members would add the second year but eliminate an auto-renewal clause from the contract.
The disputed section read as follows:
“The term of this agreement shall commence on June 19, 2018, and conclude on June 30, 2021. If the board determines that this agreement is not to be extended for an additional year beyond June 30 of each year, the board shall give written notice of the same to Dr. Jara no later than the last business day of February of each year. If no notice is received, this contract is automatically renewed for an additional year under the same terms and conditions.”
Next week’s agenda item would remove the disputed section defining the term and instead create a fixed term.
It states that the board has determined that “it is in the best interests of the Clark County School District to extend the term of employment of Dr. Jara,” that Jara is “willing to continue to serve in the capacity of superintendent” and that both parties have agreed to “modify the employment agreement in accordance with this amendment.”
School Board President Linda Cavazos declined to comment, citing the pending vote on the matter.
In a statement, Jara said his goal is to stay the course on the district’s Focus 2024 plan and “see our plans and vision to fruition for all students.”
“This community has become my home and I love the work we are doing for our children,” Jara said. “I want to stay in this community to continue moving the district forward by serving our 310,000 students and families as well as our 42,000 employees.”
Contact Aleksandra Appleton at 702-383-0218 or aappleton@reviewjournal.com. Follow @aleksappleton on Twitter.
