The annual salary paid to new Russellville City Schools superintendent Heath Grimes falls just above the average of Alabama’s 136 school superintendents.
The Russellville City Board of Education presented Grimes with a three-year contract with an annual salary of $130,000. Grimes will receive at least a two-percent increase in pay, or any state-funded pay raise, whichever is greater, for the life of the contract.
According to the Alabama State Department of Education, Alabama’s 136 superintendents are paid an average of $128,400 for fiscal year 2014-15. While the state provides funds through a minimum salary schedule to pay teachers, money for superintendent salaries comes exclusively from the system itself.
Board member Greg Batchelor said the board looked at superintendent salaries in school systems comparable to Russellville City Schools. Former superintendent Rex Mayfield was paid $140,700 annually when he retired last month.
“The three-year contract is the same length as the contract Rex had,” Batchelor said. “We feel Mr. Grimes’ salary is comparable with other similarly situated school systems.”
Batchelor said that when Mayfield was hired in 2011, the board reviewed superintendent salaries at Muscle Shoals, Cullman, Athens and Hartselle, systems similar in size to RCS.
Grimes said he was satisfied with his compensation and there wasn’t much discussion in the contract process. He was paid $109,401 per year in his former position as Lawrence County superintendent.
“There wasn’t a lot of negotiation here. That is what was offered to me, and it was a fair offer for me and my family,” Grimes said. “It’s my understanding they looked at superintendent salaries in systems we feel to be our peers and competitors to get an average.”
Grimes’ contract contains a provision requiring him to maintain a residence inside Russellville city limits. Grimes said his Moulton house has sold and his family will relocate to Russellville by the end of this year. He and his family are looking at several homes available in town.
Superintendent salaries in nearby systems include: Muscle Shoals, $136,500; Hartselle, $132,000; Cullman $145,000 and Athens, $128,520. Franklin County superintendent Gary Williams earns $113,000 annually.
The lowest superintendent salary in Alabama is $75,781 in Choctaw County. The top-paying system is Jefferson County, which pays its superintendent $228,000 per year.
Grimes’ contract runs through June 30, 2018. He will receive travel allowances in accordance with current board policy for expense reimbursement. Grimes has 15 working days, annual vacation and sick leave consistent with other certified personnel. The contract stipulates Grimes will be provided with a cell phone at board expense.
The employment contract contains an automatic rollover of one year, unless either party gives written notice at least 12 months in advance of the contract expiration date.
