Double-dipping is still in vogue in Richmond Public Schools, even though the practice of paying retirees extra money to fill vacancies has been loudly criticized.

The most recent examples: The hiring of Dr. Beverly Braxton and Dr. Howard Hopkins as temporary principals at $50 per hour.

Dr. Braxton was hired as interim principal at Thomas Jefferson High School on July 1, and since then was switched to serving as a temporary assistant principal at $40 an hour, according to school system spokesman Richard D. Davis.

Dr. Hopkins also started July 1 as interim principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, Mr. Davis confirmed. Dr. Hopkins is now assisting the new principal, Derrick Scarborough, who arrived July 23.

A Virginia native and graduate of Liberty University, Mr. Scarborough has been a teacher and school administrator for more than 30 years and has served as a middle school principal for 13 of the past 15 years, according to an RPS announcement. Most recently, he was principal of Linkhorne Middle School in Lynchburg.

In response to a Free Press query, Mr. Davis insisted that Superintendent Dana T. Bedden “and his leadership team have moved away from … excessive reliance” on retirees to temporarily fill vacancies in principalships and other administrative positions.

However, in the most recent 12 instances in the past two years, Mr. Davis acknowledged retirees mostly filled the posts.

In four instances, assistant principals were promoted to principals.

But in the eight remaining cases, Mr. Davis acknowledged that retirees were used.

In two instances, retired Chesterfield County administrators temporarily filled posts, he stated. In the other six instances, Mr. Davis stated that either Dr. Hopkins or Dr. Braxton were appointed to fill in.

He noted that Dr. Hopkins’ role as temporary principal ended with the appointment of Mr. Scarborough, though in a separate statement, he stated that Dr. Hopkins is staying on to help during the transition.

In the case of Dr. Braxton, Mr. Davis stated that she was assigned to temporarily lead Thomas Jefferson after the person offered the principal post declined the appointment and other candidates pulled out even as the previous principal, Candace Veney-Chaplin, moved to her new principal post at Open High School.

Mr. Davis stated as the search continues at Thomas Jefferson for a new principal, assistant principal Darrin Thompson has been moved up to serve as interim principal, with Dr. Braxton reassigned as a temporary assistant principal.

Dr. Hopkins retired more than 12 years ago, but since then has served repeatedly as a principal of numerous schools, most notably at Richmond Community High. Dr. Braxton also has held other positions since her retirement, including as interim director of instruction.

Members of the School Board repeatedly have questioned the practice of double-dipping, which was far more extensive during the tenure of former Superintendent Yvonne W. Brandon. During her tenure, more than 30 retirees filled vacancies.

Shonda Harris-Muhammed, who represents the 6th District on the School Board, expressed surprise after learning from a reporter that Dr. Hopkins had been serving as interim principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School since the departure of previous principal Rickie G. Hopkins, no relation. The school is located in her district.

“The superintendent did not inform me that Howard Hopkins was there at MLK,” she stated. “So to a degree, that does bother me.”