What Nelson Co. Schools Superintendent's personnel file reveals

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After firing the Nelson County Schools' Superintendent, several people in the community are hoping for a better explanation.

On Monday, after meeting in executive session, the Nelson County School Board of Education 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.

WDRB obtained Bradley's personnel file, containing documents related to his employment with the district since being hired in 2011.

The documents showed in more than ten years with the district, only one complaint was filed and investigated against Bradley.

It came from then-principal, Randy Adams of Bloomfield Middle School. In 2021, Adams alleged Bradley acted in an intimidating manner and threatened his employment.

But an investigation by the board's attorney found the claim to be unsubstantiated after conducting several interviews with other people present during the described incident and reviewing video. The board did not take further action.

Also included in his personnel file were Bradley's evaluations conducted by the board while serving as superintendent.

The evaluations score superintendents in seven categories: strategic leadership, instructional leadership, cultural leadership, human resources leadership, managerial leadership, collaborative leadership, and influential leadership.

Between 2018 and 2020, Bradley scored "exemplary" or "accomplished" in all seven categories.

The personnel record did not include evaluation scores for 2021.

In 2022, Bradley scored "exemplary" or "accomplished" in six categories. The board gave him a "developing" score for instructional leadership.

In 2023, the board scored Bradley as "developing" or "accomplished" in each of the seven categories.

Board members evaluating Bradley over the years does vary, given turnover of board members by election or resignation.

WDRB also reviewed Nelson County Schools state report card data, provided by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).

Comparing data for the 2021-2022 school year to 2022-2023 school year, there is a mix of improvement and decline in Nelson County Schools proficiency rates.

Elementary school students improved proficiency scores in both math and reading.

Middle school students proficiency scores in math and reading declined year-to-year.

High schools students reading scores improved and math scores stayed the same.

KDE has stated due to changes in its testing system, scores can be validly compared between 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. Statewide tests changed following the 2018-2019 school year and the 2020-2021 results were thrown off by abnormal absentees.

Nelson County Board of Education will submit its decision to the Kentucky Commissioner of Education for approval. The board will then appoint an interim superintendent while searching for a permanent replacement.

"The Board of Education appreciates Mr. Bradley's contributions during his time with Nelson County Schools," Amanda Deaton, the board's chair, said in a statement. "As we look ahead, the Board of Education remains committed to providing the highest quality education to the students of Nelson County along with our teachers, administrators and other district personnel who will ensure this transition is as seamless as possible for our students, families and staff."

WDRB reached out to all board members and board attorney, Jake Thompson, Tuesday afternoon to comment but did not receive a response.

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."

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

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.

We asked Jake Thompson, the attorney representing the board, if the board had any comment or anything to add after Monday's vote. You can read his statement below:

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