Tom Ahart, the Des Moines Public Schools superintendent, did not have his contract extended by the Des Moines School Board in a closed-session meeting on Thursday by a narrow 4-3 vote. Ahart, who makes more than $306,000 per year, is at risk of losing his state superintendent’s license due to the district’s decision to not hold classes in person at the beginning of the academic year.
State law required at least 50 percent of instruction to be provided in-person unless a temporary waiver for 100 percent remote learning was granted. Des Moines started the year with 100 percent remote learning.
The Board of Educational Examiners has given Ahart two options — surrender his Professional Administrator License or agree to accept a lesser sanction.
Ahart’s current contract has two years remaining and will end in 2023.
Rob Barron, a board member, told KCCI that it is possible the board could offer Ahart a new contract in 2023.
According to The Des Moines Register, members Dwana Bradley, Teree Caldwell-Johnson, Kelli Soyer and Kim Martorano voted not to extend Ahart’s contract.
Notice of Hearing Statement of Charges Board of Educational Examiners:
496830646 Thomas Ahart Noti… by Adam Carros
