By Staff
of education meeting
By SHERRY DIGMON
Advance Staff Writer
Buck Powell spent his first day as Escambia County (Ala.) Superintendent of Education Friday.
Powell's contract was signed Tuesday at a special board of education meeting.
According to board attorney Broox Garrett, Powell's base salary was set at $82,000 with a $4,000 in-state travel allowance. The travel allowance has remained the same for a number of years, Garrett said.
Powell will receive a 5.5 percent increase in pay on Oct. 1, as per state mandate. All certificated personnel (K-12) will receive increases from 1 percent to 5.5 percent, based on years of service. This includes principals, assistant principals, supervisors, directors and teachers. This increase is set by state law and is not subject to action by the board of education.
The previous superintendent, Dr. Margaret Breland-Bradley was paid a base pay of $84,088 per year plus at least $1,000 for having a doctorate.
Tuesday, the screening committee met to discuss the contract with Powell. Prior to that Powell and the other candidates for the superintendent's position had been sent a copy of the form contract without a salary amount.
Garrett said the screening committee – board members Danny Benjamin, Jimmy Dukes, and Mike Goolsby – unanimously recommended Powell's salary to the board. The board in turn unanimously approved the contract and authorized Chairman A.D. Johnson to sign the contract immediately.
During Tuesday's meeting, the board also voted to increase board members' salaries from $300 to $600 a month. Garrett said a new state statue authorized the increases effective in November.
Five board members voted in favor of the increase. Dukes and