DOUGHTY Over two objections, Port Aransas school board members on Thursday, Jan. 19, voted superintendent Dr. Sharon Doughty a one-time $500 stipend and extended her contract for two years.

Trustees voted unanimously to give Doughty the stipend, with board member Ann Appling absent. Members Jay Jones and Kelly Owens voted against extending the contract, which made the final vote 4-2.

Owens was unavailable for comment. Jones said he did not see the vote as divisive, but in fact called the review “extremely positive.”

“We have made much progress with (Doughty) over the past three years, and I think Port Aransas ISD’s future is bright with Dr. Doughty at the helm,” he said.

Jones said the Texas Association of School Board tradition is for lengthy contract extensions, and he was reluctant to approve a long extension.

”My opinion was that a oneyear contract that would extend her through the 2013-14 school year showed a strong commitment to her,” he said.

Doughty’s contract will now end on June 30, 2015.

The votes followed a trustees only closed session on Wednesday, Jan. 18, where they discussed their evaluations of Doughty, and a closed session Thursday with Doughty present where board members discussed the evaluation with her.

The stipend gives Doughty the same one-time amount that all other employees of the school district received just before Christmas.