A difficult relationship with his school committee coupled with a recent less-than-stellar performance review may jeopardize the future for Brockton School Superintendent Matthew Malone, who must be informed by Jan. 1 at the latest if his $1 million-plus contract is to be renewed.

Malone’s five-year pact runs out in 2014, but under the agreement with city schools he must be given 18 months notice if they don’t plan to rehire him.