BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — The Birmingham Board of Education voted Tuesday night to approve a proposed three-year contract for Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan.

The vote comes after Dr. Sullivan’s performance evaluation was introduced in early September, showcasing various achievements under his leadership.

The vote passed 6-2, with six yes votes and two no votes.

Background of Dr. Mark Sullivan

Dr. Mark Sullivan has been superintendent of Birmingham City Schools ever since August 2020. During his tenure, he oversaw various initiatives to improve educational outcomes in the district.

Assessment details

The evaluation, led by board member Mary Boehm, chair of the Superintendent Evaluation Committee, focused on data-driven goals established with input from a Harvard-affiliated group. These key performance indicators (KPIs) were distributed across four main pillars: student success, team excellence, stakeholder trust, and systems and planning. The student success pillar had the highest weight in the assessment.

The evaluation found that out of nine goals under the pillar of student success, Dr. Sullivan met seven. Dr. Sullivan’s overall KPI score was 3.85 out of 4, placing him in the “Exceeding Expectations” category.

Board members rated Dr. Sullivan on nine competencies, including leadership, district culture, planning and development, and human resources. The average score in this section was 2.91 out of 4, classified as “Meets Expectations”. The overall total evaluation score was 3.57, indicating a performance in the “Beyond Expectations” range. Following the evaluation presentation, board members recognized Dr. Sullivan’s accomplishments with a round of applause.

Board member and superintendent statements

Dr. Sullivan expressed his gratitude to the board members and review committee for their recognition and support.

Jason Meadows, president of the Birmingham School Board and District 9 representative, noted the rigorous nature of the evaluation process, noting that Birmingham schools incorporate academic performance as a component of the KPI — an element not mandated by the Boards Association schools in Alabama. .

“Dr. Sullivan has more control than other school districts they deal with in the state,” Meadows said. He cited an increase in literacy scores, from 50 to 81 percent, as evidence of the superintendent’s impact. However, he added: “We have a long way to go. A long way to go. But there is lots of hard work going on.”

Academic performance and future engagement

District leaders reported improvements in reading and math scores under Dr. Sullivan’s leadership. On November 18, Dr. Sullivan will co-teach a class at Harvard University centered on a case study highlighting the accomplishments of Birmingham City Schools.

The Board’s decision on the contract will determine whether Dr. Sullivan continues to lead the district for the next three years.