By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
EAST SPENCER — The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education voted 6-1 Monday to extend Superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom’s contract by one year.
Chairman Dr. Jim Emerson said he and vice chairwoman Jean Kennedy met with Grissom last week to perform her evaluation.
“She has an exceptional overall record,” Kennedy said. “In light of the fact that we know that our superintendent will not accept a pay increase I move that the board extend her contract by at least one year.”
School board member Mike Caskey cast the lone dissenting vote.
“I appreciate everything you do, but I am going to vote against your extention,” he said. “It’s nothing against you, but with the economy the way it is I don’t think we should be extending large personnel contracts right now.”
This is the third year Grissom has turned down the 3 percent performance-based raise, but her contract includes an automatic 2.5 percent raise.
Grissom will earn $129,660 from the state and $64,166 from local funds, for a total of $193,826 this year.
Her contract will now be extended to 2015.
The board also presented Grissom with a floral arrangement and chocolates during the meeting.
“We appreciate all that you do and all that you’ve done,” board member Kay Wright Norman said. “I don’t know what we would do if we did not have such a creative, forward-thinking superintendent in the times that we’re in and that times we’re approaching.”
Grissom thanked the board and her staff for their support.
“We have a wonderful group,” she said. “This is for everybody, not just for me.”
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.