BARDSTOWN, Ky. — The Nelson County Board of Education has decided to shake up the district’s leadership following a special session on Monday.
The board voted to remove Superintendent Wes Bradley, who has served in the role since 2018.
An agenda of the special meeting showed board members began discussions on Bradley’s “summative evaluation and performance,” as well as “discussions which might lead to promotion, discipline, or other personnel action of an individual employee.”
Board member Tracy Bowling was the only one to vote "no."
The board entered executive session for over an hour, and once they returned Board Member Amanda Deaton called for a motion.
"[That] Wesley Adam Bradley, the current superintendent of the Nelson County school district, be removed for cause by roll call vote and his current contract with the board of education be terminated," Deaton said.
Deaton listed six reasons for calling for Bradley's removal:
- neglect of duty
- academic and educational neglect resulting in extremely low academic performance
- failure of leadership
- failing to act as the professional advisor of the board
- engaging in conduct that has promoted division within the district
- engaging in conduct that has resulted in a majority of the board losing trust in him.
Each of the reasons resulted in boos and laughter from a majority of the crowd.
Bradley remained quiet throughout the meeting, but after the vote he shared his hopes for Nelson County moving forward.
"I want to share gratitude with all the educators across Nelson County schools; I'm really proud of the work that continues in our schools and we also, over the next month, it's important that this doesn't become a distraction to learning. I think the key piece in all of this is none of this should take away from our students," he said. "At the end of the day, we're working in the best interest of students and we'll continue to do that no matter what the process entails."
Following Bradley's removal, principals of the Nelson County School District released a statement, saying:
"The principals of the Nelson County Schools continue to be united in our advocacy for next generation learning experiences and environments for all students in the Nelson County School district. Each principal wants to clearly communicate their support of the leadership and vision of our Superintendent, Mr. Wes Bradley. We believe in our district vision, led by Superintendent Bradley, to 'Unite People, Place, and Purpose,' and to build world class programs, schools, and educators within the district. We believe that any decision to remove or terminate Superintendent Bradley would not be in good faith and would be a detriment to the progress and work currently being done by all Nelson County School educators to build a future that sets all students up for success."
Principals from 11 schools within the district all expressed support for Bradley in letters posted on social media.
Can't read the letters? Click here.
Jessica Hogue with NC Forward said the group does not agree with the board's decision to remove Bradley.
"They may have been able to remove Wes Bradley, or they're trying to, but the work and the passion and the vision of Wes Bradley is going to continue by these educators," she said.
The request for Bradley's removal will be sent to the Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education for approval. If the removal is approved, the board will appoint an interim superintendent.
Hogue shared a statement on behalf of NC Forward:
"Regardless of the final decision by KDE, NC Forward will continue to advocate for the students, parents, and staff for the betterment of the Nelson County School System. We will continue to seek transparent and demand board members make decisions that are in the best interest of every student in Nelson County."
Bradley is the only employee hired by the district’s school board.
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