By By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
July 24, 2001
Meridian school board members approved nearly $43,000 in administrative pay raises Monday despite board member Edward Lynch's objection to increases for some administrators.
Lynch voted against the raises because he believed they were excessive. Board members approved the pay raises by a 4-1 vote.
Board members increased the pay for Jayson Chisolm, the district's transportation director, from $48,409 to $50,809 because of his experience.
They also raised the pay for Samuel Thompson, the district''s safety director, from $42,331 to $45,209. Thompson had been paid a coordinator's salary rather than a director's salary.
The board also raised the pay of assistant principals at Meridian High School. Cythia Pouncey's pay will go from $49,209 to $50,809; Bennie Hopkins' salary will go from $45,209 to $46, 809; and Marcus Irby's salary will go from $44,409 to $46,809.
School Superintendent Janet McLin said the assistant principals' salaries were increased to bring their income closer to that of other districts the same size as Meridian. McLin said the average raise for administrators this school year is 1.9 percent.
McLin told the board the main goal for the 2001-2002 school year is student achievement. She said faculty at Meridian High will research block scheduling and a magnet school; she said the district will continue to emphasize early childhood education.
In other business the board:
Approved personnel hired by the district. McLin said only two teaching positions, one for Spanish and one for music, remain open.
Approved a course to teach sexual abstinence to seventh-graders.
Approved changes to the traffic flow pattern for the high school and Ross Collins vocational school due to construction. The proposal will be submitted in writing to the City Council for assistance from the street department in making the changes.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.