Fulton County school board members have unanimously approved a one-year contract extension for Superintendent Robert Avossa.
It’s the third contract extension for Avossa, who came to Fulton schools June 2011 after serving in education leadership roles in North Carolina and Florida school districts. School board members approved the extension at Thursday’s meeting.
He originally was hired with a three-year contract, the maximum allowed by state law. The school board has twice extended his contract by one-year terms. With the third extension, his new contract period continues until June 30, 2017.
Avossa’s new contract keeps his salary the same and does not change any other part of the benefits package except for an increased retirement supplement.
Avossa’s salary is currently $275,000 and additionally he receives: a monthly auto allowance of $800 ($9,600 annually); a monthly expense allowance of $1,250 ($15,000 annually); monthly family insurance coverage ($7,235 annually); teacher retirement services contribution of $13,750; and sick/vacation leave, with optional 10-day pay out of $11,703 (sick) $11,703 (vacation).
All total, Avossa receives $343,990 per year, plus the additional benefits of a $500,000 life insurance policy and 401 (a) contribution of 10 percent of annual salary ($27,500 annually).
The board’s approval for an increased retirement supplement at Thursday’s meeting changes the contract by upping the board’s contribution to the 401 (a) to 15 percent of the base salary (an additional $13,750.)
Avossa’s contract also is one of few in Georgia that has a penalty clause for prematurely leaving the school district.
“Dr. Avossa’s work as superintendent has infused new energy and focus into our district,” said school board president Linda Schultz in a released statement. The board is “extremely pleased with the results we’re seeing.”
In 2012, Avossa led the creation of the district’s first five-year strategic plan, which launched three main goals – that by 2017, 90 percent of Fulton students would graduate on time; 85 percent of seniors would be eligible for admission to a University System of Georgia college or university; and all of Fulton’s graduates be certified work-ready.
He is scheduled to deliver the district’s latest progress report on meeting those goals at a State of Our Schools event on Thursday.
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