JCPS Board of Education Affirms Superintendent

Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Sheldon Berman is getting positive marks from the Board of Education. The board completed its annual performance review of Berman in a closed-door session Monday night.Board Chair Debbie Wesslund read from a statement prepared after the review.“This year was a challenging one on several fronts, events over the course of the year tested the superintendent’s leadership and teamwork skills, during these times it’s important to have a strong operational manager, clear lines of authority and open communication," said Wesslund.Those challenges included a budget deficit, a dispute with the teachers' union and questions about the district’s handling of the investigation into the heat-related death of PRP football player Max Gilpin.The Jefferson County Teacher’s Association released a survey of its members earlier this month, saying nearly half of them gave Berman a failing grade for the past year’s performance. JCPS officials released a similar survey Monday night of all school employees – including non-union workers – saying over 80% of the staff approved of Berman’s leadership over the course of the year.Berman will not get additional incentive pay this year because of the district’s tight budget.