SPS superintendent's contract extended

The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education extended the contract of Superintendent Grenita Lathan.

The board approved the one-year extension during Lathan's first performance evaluation, according to a news release. The evaluation was conducted at the board's Jan. 28 meeting during a closed session.

“Dr. Lathan’s relational and thoughtful leadership is appreciated by our Board of Education, and we support her ongoing efforts to listen, assess and make needed adjustments to best serve our students, teachers and parents,” said Alina Lehnert, president of the SPS Board of Education, in the release. “We note that her thorough entry plan discoveries provide her with a springboard to collaboratively set intentional goals with the board in order to maximize our district in the coming years.”

Lathan's entry plan focuses on challenges and celebrations for SPS, as well as her vision for the future. Specific entry plan points include growth in learning support, financial stability and prioritizing equity and diversity.

With the contract extension, Lathan is slated to be on board at least through the 2024-25 academic year, according to the release. It's an amendment to her initial three-year contract when she was hired last year.

SPS spokesperson Teresa Bledsoe said Lathan's annual salary is $300,000. That’s unchanged from when she was hired.