LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nelson County Schools' Board of Education voted to remove its superintendent, citing, in part, neglect of duty and low academic performance.

The board went into executive session for about an hour during a special called meeting Monday evening. After that session, the board voted 4-1 to remove Superintendent Wes Bradley.

In removing Bradley, the board accused him of: 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 pursuant to KRS 160 370, engaging in conduct that has created or promoted division and ascension within the district and working relationships have been severely damaged, and engaging in conduct that has resulted in the majority of the board losing trust in him.

The move comes a week after the board discussed his performance behind closed doors during five hours of executive session in another special called meeting that ended with no action taken.

It was a decision many expected, but not many people in the crowd Monday evening were in favor of. Parents, students and employees have shown up to school board meetings over the last several months in support of their superintendent. At Monday's meeting, Bradley walked into the room to cheers and applause that lasted for several minutes. The same was done when he left the building.

"I just want to share gratitude with all the educators across Nelson County Schools," said Bradley following the decision. 

Minutes after the board voted to fire Bradley, his message was to keep the district moving forward no matter what.

"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 that process entails," he said. 

Those words were met with cheers from many in the crowd on Monday.

"We do not agree with the four board members who made this decision," community member Jessica Hogue said.

In a statement following Bradley's removal, the principals of Nelson County Schools said they "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," the statement continued. "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."

Bradley has been with the district since 2011 and became superintendent in 2018 and has been the district's leader amid some controversies, including plans to merge and consolidate schools that have been passed, killed, and re-imagined over the last several years. 

The sole vote to not remove Bradley came from board member Tracy Bowling.

"I have 100% faith that Superintendent Bradley was the best thing to happen to Nelson County in a long time," Bowling said.

The remaining board members declined WDRB News' request for comment after the meeting. The board's interim attorney Jake Thompson also declined to comment. According to an Open Records Request, before Thompson was hired as interim attorney he sent an email to Bradley in April 2023. In it, Thompson said he had been "contacted" to ask if Bradley had any interest in terminating his contract and negotiating a settlement. Thompson was named interim attorney for the board in January this year, after the board's former attorney Eric Farris resigned over "ethical concerns."

"Really proud of the work that continues in our schools and we also, over the next month, it's important this does not become a distraction from student learning," Bradley said Monday. "I think the key piece in all of this (is) none of this should take away from our students, so thank you guys."

The board will send the decision to the Kentucky Department of Education. The commissioner will investigate the claims and then either approve or decline the decision to remove Bradley.

In January, Bradley's future as the district's leader was in question, but again, no action was taken. The school board held a special meeting after board member Tracy Bowling made a Facebook post that said board member Diane Berry told her she has the four votes needed to dismiss Bradley. 

The school district has been under scrutiny by parents, teachers, and community members after the board approved a plan to merge Boston Middle School and New Haven Middle School with Old Kentucky Home Middle School.

The middle school merger followed a decision to create a proposal to merge Thomas Nelson and Nelson High schools, known as the Connected Campus Plan.

Many community members and parents are against the mergers. Last October, student and teacher protests voicing their frustrations over the Connected Campus Plan closed school for two days. Some school board meetings over the last year have been packed by members of the community voicing their opposition to merge the high schools.

A recent board meeting had to be adjourned early due to heated arguments between parents and board members.

Just weeks ago, parents and teachers packed a Nelson County district courtroom for a status hearing, where the judge reminded them to maintain civility during board meetings. 

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