The Hamilton County School Board voted 5-4 this afternoon to give schools Superintendent Jim Scales a new four-year contract.

Board members Chip Baker, Janice Boydston, Joe Conner, Debra Matthews and Jeffrey Wilson voted in favor of the new contract. Rhonda Thurman, Chester Bankston, Everett Fairchild and Kenny Smith voted against it.

Dr. Scales still has two years remaining on his current contract, which would have expired June 30, 2010. His new contract will expire June 30, 2012.

Prior to the meeting, three candidates — Ms. Thurman, Dr. Joe Dumas, Gregg Juster — running in the upcoming school board elections as the “Back on Track” team, signed a pledge vowing to do away with the “backroom deals and secrecy” that they say led to Dr. Scales’ new contract.

Ms. Thurman is running unopposed for the District 1 seat; Dr. Dumas is running against Mr. Baker for the District 2 seat, and Mr. Juster is running against Ms. Matthews for the District 4 seat.

“I believe the correct procedures were followed and I believe the process has been open and above board,” said Mr. Wilson, who first placed Dr. Scales’ new contract on the board’s agenda.

See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.