CODY SOSSAMON PUBLISHER
Before the ink is even dry on today’s newspaper I can hear — make that read — the social media keyboard commandos criticizing the school board for paying our new superintendent $195,000. I agree that is an enviable salary, but… .
Essentially a CEO, Dr. Fitzpatrick will be responsible for a budget that exceeds $100 million. He will be responsible for one of, if not the largest, workforces (800 more or less) in Cherokee County.
How much do you think those in the private sector with that much responsibility make? I don’t know either, but my guess is that they are paid at least that much.
Terry Mallard, head of Broad River Electric makes about three times that with a budget of half the school district’s. The BPW’s head Steve Bratton is compensated a little more than Fitzpatrick at $205,000 with a budget of around $50 million and less than 100 employees.
County administrator Merv Bishop is paid
132,472 with a $43 million budget.
Of all these positions, public and private, I believe that of school superintendent is the most difficult. I’ve heard many more than one person say we need up the ante to get top notch leader for our schools.
Time will tell whether that’s the case here but judging from what I’ve heard from those who know him and have worked for him, Dr. Fitzpatrick will be well worth what he is being paid.
No amount of money, however, will make our schools better until ALL parents get involved and teach their children some discipline. Students cannot learn in an environment in which there is no order.
I suggest that should be one of Fitzpatrick’s first orders of business.
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