RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — From chronic absenteeism to mold in the classroom, the Richmond Public School system has faced its share of challenges in recent years — on Tuesday, a local group pointed the finger at leadership, calling for the removal of Superintendent Jason Kamras.
The organization, called the Richmond Crusade for Voters, cited a list of ten shortcomings they feel warrant a change in how the school system operates. Some Richmond School Board members told 8News they were hesitant to place all of the blame on the superintendent, but admitted data from the report was correct and telling.
The group cited failures in fulfilling goals outlined in Kamras’ five-year strategic plan, which launched in 2018. One of the points in Kamras’ plan was addressing chronic absenteeism. Data from the Virginia Department of Education confirmed the district’s rate of chronic absenteeism has increased overall since Kamras took the job, but it’s important to note that it has fluctuated over the years.
Most recent data also showed that the district currently falls below the target 100% full accreditation status, with 24 schools conditionally accredited.
Richmond Crusade for Voters also called attention to the school district’s declining graduation rate. The rate oscillated throughout the course of Kamras’ tenure, peaking at 79% in 2021, but it fell to 72% last year.
A scathing piece of the report emphasized a failure to increase student satisfaction. This metric is particularly tough to measure, but the Richmond Crusade for Voters referenced multiple shootings involving Richmond Public Schools students.
8News has reported on some of these incidents, which include a shooting that killed two people at a high school graduation ceremony and a double shooting outside of another high school.
Richmond School Board member Kenya Gibson sent the following statement to 8News in response to the Richmond Crusade for Voters:
“When we were evaluating the superintendent’s contract in 2021, I agreed with the Crusade for Voters and the NAACP who advocated for a shorter, two year extension. Three years later, we’ve seen an accelerated breakdown in the district. Missteps have led to growing staff turnover, fires, substandard lunches, and a deadly shooting. When a district is dysfunctional, every student suffers. In Richmond, working class Black and Latino students are impacted the most. It’s truly unfortunate, but I don’t have confidence that our administration is equipped to bring a culture shift where workers are empowered to identify and address the problems at hand.”
Board member Jonathan Young agreed that Richmond Public Schools is “failing” as is. He shared the following statement with 8News:
“For sure RPS is failing; I am the first to point out our opportunities for improvement and God knows that my differences with Jason are at times profound but I remain in support of the Superintendent because he shares my unwavering commitment to big bold transformative ideas like extending the school day, year-round school, devolving decision making to our principals and teachers, etc.” -Jonathan Young, School Board
Young highlighted school year extension plans and new cell phone policies as positive sources of change the school system is undergoing.
School Board member Dawn Page also acknowledged Richmond schools’ shortcomings, but urged people to also look at the school system’s “gains.” She shared the following statement:
“Thank you for reaching out to me regarding this matter. Fortunately, there is data to support the gains that RPS is making. There is absolutely more to be done, however, we need to continue to work together in supporting the students of RPS. I support the Superintendent as the school division continues to make progress. Again, thank you.”
Board member Shonda Harris-Muhammed noted the decision to release a superintendent is in the school board’s hands. She said the community must hold officials accountable. A statement she sent to our newsroom reads:
“Good afternoon. I am appreciative that the RCV has continued to follow the Richmond Public Schools instructional outcomes and operational [misconfigurations] that have negatively impacted our student outcomes and teacher retention. I am fully supportive of the Richmond Crusade for Voters and the work they have done and continue to do for our communities. RPS has been plagued with tiered levels of misalignments in the areas of instruction, operations, and culture/climate. Ultimately, the decision to release a superintendent from his or her contract is governed by the local school board. Our community must hold their elected officials accountable if we are not addressing the needs of the community while holding our division leadership accountable.”
Richmond Public Schools refused to comment ahead of Tuesday night’s school board meeting.
