Friday, July 13, 2001
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Friday, July 13, 2001 |
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Brooks defends his PR position By JOHN
THOMPSON
The controversy over the hiring of a full-time public information officer at the Coweta County School System won't go away. During Tuesday's meeting of the Coweta County Board of Education, Superintendent of Education Richard Brooks released a statement about the issue. Since hiring former Times-Herald business editor Dean Jackson as information officer, the school system has been pummeled in the local media for paying Jackson $70,000 a year after increasing property tax rates this year. Brooks addresed the questions by stating that Jackson's salary is $53,547 and the director of public information is a new position but not an additional one. "I understand and recognize that most of the negative opinions which have been expressed regarding the public information position are based on inaccurate information or lack of information. Unfortunately, some criticisms have come from those who have a personal agenda resulting from unwanted redistricting, a child being suspended, or a transfer being denied," he said. Brooks further explained Jackson's salary: "First, an employee's salary and what we budget for an employee are different figures. This is true with all school system employees. "The budgeted amount is 30 percent more than the actual salary and covers the additional benefit costs associated with the employee. The budgeted amount for the director of public information is what has been reported and commented on in the press. Mr. Jackson's salary is actually $53,547 for 230 days annually. The system has budgeted $69,611.10 to cover his salary and his benefits. "To put this in a clearer perspective, a high school assistant principal with eight years experience has a salary of $55,792 for 230 days annually. With the benefits package, the system would budget $72,529 for this position." Brooks then explained the system had a part-time public information officer and a part-time business partnership director that are now combined under Jackson's duties. The final point Brooks addressed was his contract. "Third, I would like to clear up any misinformation regarding my contract. I became eligible for retirement at the end of the 2000 school year. I was asked by the Board of Education to stay for another two years to give them time they will need to conduct a nationwide search for my replacement. "I agreed to a two-year contract ending June 2002 based in part on my desire to complete two projects that I conceived and helped developed. "These projects, which are important to not only the school system but to Coweta County, are the Central Educational Center, which serves all of the high schools and the public, plus the Fine Arts Center, which will serve all of our students and the community." Brooks added residents still upset about the issue should contact him at 770-254-2800.
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