BENTONVILLE — About 100 people showed up at tonight's School Board meeting scheduled for the board to discuss the future of Superintendent Michael Poore.

Many in the audience held up signs expressing their support for Poore. The signs stated "I stand with Poore" and "Renew," a reference to the board's imminent decision on whether to extend Poore's contract by another year.

The board scheduled a special meeting for this evening to continue its discussion and evaluation of Poore in executive session. Before that, however, the board spent more than an hour in open session to hear public comments and discuss other related matters.

The board retired to executive session at about 7:10 p.m.

The original agenda for the meeting did not indicate there would be time for public comment, but the board voted 7-0 tonight to allow it. Five people addressed the board. All spoke in favor of Poore.

Thursday's meeting comes following a contentious meeting Monday, when rumors escalated the board would vote against extending Poore's contract, which runs through June 30, 2016. The board met in executive session Monday for more than an hour but did not reach a decision.