Kannapolis Schools Extend Superintendent's Contract

BY SUSAN DICKERSON
SALISBURY POST

KANNAPOLIS - He was doing such a good job, they decided to lock him in two more years before his contract was even up for consideration.

At its meeting Monday night, the Kannapolis City Board of Education extended Superintendent Dr. Ed Tyson's contract by two years, making sure he stays on the job at least four more years.

"The board is very proud of the achievements of the system under the superintendent's leadership, especially in the area of academic achievement,'' said board Chairman Lee Efird. "We definitely feel the system is moving in the right direction, and we are very pleased with Dr. Tyson's leadership.''

Kannapolis has a lot to be proud of, too. It is one of 17 school systems across the state with all its schools ranking as exemplary and has a top 25 school, Fred L. Wilson, the school with the most students on free and reduced lunch.

In 1997, Kannapolis schools led the region in the percentage of schools meeting or exceeding their academic goals - 83 percent. The school system also pioneered a literacy program for kindergarten through second grade that many other state school systems are instituting.

The school system also led the way in recruiting teachers nationally, and it's the only system in the region with a Cyber Campus, located at A.L. Brown.

The Kannapolis board rewarded Tyson with the maximum extension of a contract thay pays him $98,505 per year.

School boards often do that if they want to retain their superintendents, said Tyson. Because North Carolina law states superintendents can only have contracts for four years, two more years is all the Kannapolis board could extend Tyson's contract.

"Some boards wait until the last year of a contract to do something,'' Tyson said, "but a lot of boards also do it prior to the last year. It gives the superintendent some indication about job security.

"If a school board wants the super to remain, it is common to go ahead and get the superintendent committed because in the last couple of years, if the contract is not going to be renewed, the superintendent will be looking. So I don't have to pack my bags right now,'' he said with a laugh.

Tyson spent the majority of his career in Cabarrus County, 20 years of it, as an assistant superintendent. When he applied for the Cabarrus Schools' top position, he didn't get it.

And then the Kannapolis position opened up in 1992. Tyson applied and got it, and now, Kannapolis school board members aren't willing to let him go.

"This turned out really well,'' he said. "Sometimes things work out for you. I had no idea the Kannapolis position was going to open, and it was a good time for me to make the move. I like the size and the feel of the Kannapolis School System. It's so good to be able to have an impact on programs for children almost immediately.''

To those who work around him, Tyson said, "I am very appreciative of the support of an excellent Board of Education and a talented and hard-working team of teachers and staff,'' he said. "I feel very honored to be asked to continue as superintendent. I eagerly look forward to continuing to work with the board, staff, parents and the community as we attempt to provide the best possible educational experiences for our students.''

The contract extension comes after several board closed sessions off and on for the last several months to evaluate Tyson and his performance.

No one person can hold responsibility for the success of a school system, he said. "It depends on a lot of people working together and a supportive board. I'm very fortunate to have that. We have good people working in this school system. A real key to success for kids is the kind of adults you employ to be around them. Student achievement is our No. 1 priority, and the correlation to that is good teachers.''