Despite calls by the local NAACP for Limestone County Schools Superintendent Dr. Tom Sisk to step down, the leader of the school board said the board has not asked Sisk to do so.

Board President Charles Shoulders said he understands the community’s frustration over recent events, including the board’s decision not to keep Tanner Principal Louis Gordon and the hiring of Sisk’s daughter, Katherine Ikerman, to fill a special education position.

Shoulders doesn’t believe Sisk tried to use his influence to have his daughter hired. Shoulders believes Ikerman was the most qualified person for the job. She was hired June 5, but her contract was rescinded one week later after attorneys for the school district said Sisk’s recommendation violated the state nepotism law. The law, which was strengthened by the Alabama Legislature in 2015, prohibits superintendents from recommending relatives for employment to his or her board.

Board member Bret McGill said he was aware that a nepotism law existed, but he wasn’t aware of the details. According to the law, relatives can work in the same district or even the same school, but the system has to follow certain procedures when hiring a superintendent’s relative.

In this case, Sisk should have notified Shoulders, the board chairman, of the application. Once Shoulders received Ikerman’s application, he would then be responsible for appointing an impartial person — someone outside the school system — to handle the interview and make a recommendation to the board in a written report.

“We’ve fixed it (by revoking Ikerman’s contract), and we are going to move forward,” McGill said. “I hated it happened, it was bad press for the board, but we are going to get it right.”

McGill added the responsibility for knowing the law falls on the superintendent and board’s attorney.

“Unfortunately, the part of contacting the attorney was left out,” McGill said. “Whoever made the recommendation should have contacted the board attorney to make sure that it was done properly.”

Gordon investigation

As for the NAACP’s claims Sisk mishandled both the investigation into Gordon’s conduct and his subsequent termination, Shoulders said the organization had “legitimate complaints.” But, he was quick to defend the superintendent’s actions.

“Dr. Sisk mentioned several times that he was trying to conduct a thorough investigation to present to the board,” Shoulders said. “The delay in getting the information was something he couldn’t control. He wanted to do it right and get all pertinent information.”

In the end, Shoulder’s said he doesn’t believe Sisk has done anything that merits his resignation or dismissal, but would like Sisk to spend less time on the road and in Montgomery and concentrate more on his own school district.

Sisk defended his trips to the state Legislature, saying he has saved the district millions by affecting policy and speaking out against legislation that negatively affects public schools.

“Every trip to the state house has a local emphasis, I am there to affect policy that benefits Limestone County Schools first and foremost,” Sisk said. “The reason I travel is to advocate for Limestone County children.”

Sisk’s contract

The board renewed Sisk’s contract for five years on Oct. 1, 2016. His annual salary is $137,161 with a 2 percent cost-of-living increase each year.

According to the contract, the board can terminate the superintendent’s contract for the following reasons: incompetency, immorality, misconduct of officer, willful neglect of duty, dishonesty, insubordination, local of physical or mental capacity to carry out duties, or a serious breach or violation of law.