Jim Scales, school board reach agreement on buyout

photo Jim Scales

Hamilton County Board of Education members and Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Jim Scales have reached a tentative buyout agreement to end Scales' five-year tenure at the helm of the local school system, officials announced this afternoon.

However, Scales and school board members said the deal won't be official until a vote is taken later this month.

The specific terms of the buyout will not be released until the deal is accepted by the board.

School board members Jeffrey Wilson and George Ricks and Hamilton County Commissioner are among those at a news conference at the school system's main office on Bonny Oaks Drive.

At the news conference, Scales said school board members initiated talks of a buyout in February

School board member Rhonda Thurman said she received a call earlier today asking if she could attend a board meeting on May 26. She said 15 days notice is required.

School board member Chip Baker said he also got the call about the May 26 meeting and said he is also familiar with discussions about Scales' contract. Baker said he would not attend, saying the school board needs to focus on passing his budget.

Bearden athlete Defonta Lowe signed with Arkansas on Wednesday morning. Lowe said he will play safety for the Razorbacks when he gets on campus.

Lowe signs with Arkansas

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