Jeanne Barker is coming to Lenoir City Schools as superintendent for $121,000 in annual salary.
Lenoir City Board of Education approved Thursday a three-year contract with Barker that will begin Jan. 1. The contract includes insurance, vacation and other benefits, relocation reimbursement and technology to perform daily tasks.
Chuck Cagle, general counselor for Lenoir City Schools during the search to replace retiring Superintendent Wayne Miller, said the salary is typical for a district the size of Lenoir City.
"That's a very typical salary particularly for a superintendent of municipal school district or in some county school districts. ... Of course, the larger the district is the more the salary is," Cagle said, adding that Memphis, Metro Nashville and Knoxville district superintendent salaries would be significantly more.
Barker's salary is about $8,000-$10,000 less than Miller's salary, Cagle said.
"She's new to the system, but the offsetting part of that is she does have a doctorate degree and associate superintendent experience," he said.
Cagle and LCBOE Chairwoman Rosemary Quillen negotiated the contract after the board unanimously on Nov. 26 selected Barker as the district's next leader. Barker had been Lebanon Special School District associate director.
The salary includes a $6,000 annual allowance for travel. Cagle said the system will also fund new superintendent training sessions in Nashville and a $2,500 relocation allowance.
After 60 days on the job, the director and board will work out an evaluation plan. After an evaluation, the board could extend the superintendent's contract or make a salary adjustment, Cagle said.
The contract does not allow Barker to change positions within Lenoir City Schools.
"We are really thrilled to have you and excited that you're here and ready to work with you and move our school system forward," Quillen told Barker during Thursday's regular board meeting.
Barker thanked Miller for his work in the school system.
"I hope to commit every effort that I have to support that and to continue good things in Lenoir City Schools. Thank you for this opportunity," Barker said.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from Boys & Girls Club of Loudon County Chairwoman Tammy Lane, who presented an appreciation award to Miller.
"Thank you, Mr. Miller, for all you've done through the years to help us to grow in this county," Lane said.
Miller also received an appreciation gift from Architects Weeks, Ambrose, McDonald, Inc., who partnered with the school system on capital projects during Miller's tenure as superintendent.
• Approved a resolution to authorize Barker and Quillen to sign checks drawn from a LCBOE food service account at First National Bank. Food Service Supervisor Kay Bailey will remain a contact person for the account. All previous authorized signatures will be revoked at the start of the new year.
l Approved a resolution from Tennessee School Boards Association regarding charter schools.
"The Lenoir City Board of Education opposes any legislation to create a statewide or alternate authorizer for charter schools that would bypass locally elected boards of education and usurp the responsibilities entrusted to them by their constituencies," the resolution said.
Miller said the idea behind the resolution is to keep decision making for charter schools at a local level.
"You're aware, I'm sure, that charter schools and a voucher system is most likely going to be part of the legislative package as we open up," he said. "Local control is critically important to school systems as we move forward with higher accountability standards."
Miller said the resolution empowers TSBA with "a little more legislative voice" during the upcoming legislative session.
• Approved a 1973 Ford 350 tractor, plow and bush hog as surplus property.
• Approved the 2013-14 calendar for Lenoir City Schools.
• Approved to purchase furniture for the central office and all three schools for about $20,000.
• Declared Tuesday, Dec. 18, as Wayne Miller Day in Lenoir City Schools.