By By Kerry Whipple-Bean
Escambia County teachers will have to wait a few more months for a raise.
The county school board Thursday decided against instituting the 5 percent raise earlier than the state-mandated deadline.
In previous years, the board has granted pay raises a few months earlier – but that money comes out of the school board's pocket, not the state's.
Board Chairman Mike Goolsby said waiting until October will save the school board $110,000.
Also Thursday, the board approved the salary for new superintendent Billy Hines. Hines will have an annual salary of $92,000 – until October, when the 5 percent raise kicks in – and will have a $4,000 travel allowance, use of a car and dues for professional organizations.
The board also approved the hiring of two administrative assistants for Hines. One will oversee all federal programs, with half of the salary coming from federal funds, and one will oversee transportation, with half of the funds coming from state transportation money.
"So we're getting two for the price of one," Goolsby said.
Interviews for those positions have not yet begun, Hines said.
The board also said goodbye to outgoing Superintendent Melvin "Buck" Powell, who retires next month.
As a show of appreciation, the board renamed Stadium Drive on the Escambia County High School campus after Powell, who coached football there for a number of years and led the team to a state championship.
Powell was visibly moved by the gesture.
"I'm speechless," he said.
Earlier, he thanked the board, the school system employees and his family for their support.
"I feel that we made great strides," he said of his time as superintendent, noting that the voters also approved by giving the school district an increase in ad valorem taxes three years ago.
Board members thanked Powell for his leadership.
"He's done an excellent job," Goolsby said. "Everything he's ever attempted he's been successful at."
In other business Thursday:
Evans, who is the daughter of Ritchie and Karen Evans, read 6,341 pages in Braille. She is the only student in Alabama to be recognized this year.
Powell said it is the highest national honor he can remember for the school district.