The compensation package for Cherokee County School Superintendent Dr. Bill James compares favorably with similar contracts given superintendents in the seven Spartanburg school districts.

Spartanburg District 7 Superintendent Thomas White and Spartanburg District 4 Superintendent Rallie Liston are the highest paid superintendents in the area.

White made $150,000 while Liston earned $149,874 during the 2008-2009 school year. Spartanburg District 2 superintendent Scott Mercer earned $135,492 with an additional $5,000 bonus.

James was hired as the Cherokee County School District superintendent in February of 2001. His salary has increased from $105,000 in 2001 to its present rate of $137,704.

School trustees gave James a one-year contract extension earlier this year. The superintendent's contract was extended to June 30, 2011.

The school district provides James with a $250,000 life insurance policy. Under the contract, James receives 15 vacation days and is required to undergo a yearly physical examination.

The district also has a "key man" insurance policy for $100,000 on the school superintendent.

Employers often take out this type of policy as protection against the loss of an important employee due to sickness, injury or death. The school district is the beneficiary of the key man insurance policy on the superintendent.

These are the highlights from James' contract released July 21 in response to a Freedom of Information request filed by The Gaffney Ledger.

The district makes a yearly contribution to an annuity of the superintendent's choice. The amount of the annuity contribution equals 5 percent of James' salary each year.

The school board has amended the superintendent's contract six times since James was hired as permanent superintendent. He receives a monthly car allowance of $750 and is reimbursed for out-of-district travel and school businessrelated cell phone use.

School board chairman Billy Blackwell said the superintendent has mainly requested a contract extension following the school board's annual evaluation.

James received a 4.38 average score from school board members when he was evaluated in February. His contract was extended in lieu of additional compensation.

"We haven't made any other changes to the contract recently," Blackwell said. "Bill James has done a good job as superintendent. He received his highest scores from board members on his most recent evaluation. We hope he stays here."

James' contract can be terminated by mutual agreement with the school board, disability, death or discharge for cause. If the district doesn't notify James in writing by Jan. 15, his employment contract is automatically renewed each year.

The school board can terminate its contract agreement with the superintendent with an affirmative vote from at least six school board members.

"In the event of such termination, the Superintendent shall not be entitled to appear before the Board," the contract reads. "However, the district shall pay to the Superintendent, upon the execution of a complete release satisfactory to the Board, severance pay the equivalent of one year's salary or the balance due on the contract, whichever is less."