MONTGOMERY — The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) voted on Thursday to approve a contract extension and $80,000 salary increase for State Superintendent Eric Mackey, down $55,000 from the board's initial proposal.
The Thursday meeting, chaired by Gov. Kay Ivey, saw the board approve an annual $325,000 salary increase for Mackey, up from $245,000 from his last contracted amount.
Mackey's exact current salary is unclear. His initial contract for employment sets his salary at $245,000. Mackey does not receive Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) or pay raises passed by the legislature for state employees. His initial contract also grants him an annual 3% pay raise unless the board disapproves. The 2018 contract was initially set for three years, with an automatic renewal clause that expires in May.
His contract also permits the use of a state-owned vehicle, $1,750 per month for housing allowance ($21,000 annually), reimbursement for "reasonable business expenses," including, but not limited to, the reasonable cost to obtain and maintain a smartphone, electronic tablet and laptop; annual reimbursement of up to $5,000 for professional development; reimbursement for the cost of any bond required under the of Alabama Code section 16-4-32 to the extent permitted by law; and reimbursement of membership dues paid to Council for Leaders of Alabama Schools and the School Superintendents of Alabama.
According to state Checkbook data, Mackey's gross pay was $308,866.77, plus an additional $6,352.88 for travel and supplies. However, the gross pay encompasses all his allowed reimbursements.
ALSDE members have previously stated that the raise came after the board realized some local superintendents were paid higher salaries than Mackey.
Last month, 1819 News obtained a copy of Mackey's proposed new contract, which showed a proposed four-year contract that would bump his salary by 55% from his original $245,000 to $380,000, an increase of $135,000. His $21,000 annual housing allowance and other reimbursements remain the same in the new contract.
The table was set for ALSDE to vote on the increase. However, when the issue came up, it was announced that Mackey had requested a reduction from the initial $380,000 to $325,000.
"I am so pleased that we are able to recognize this great superintendent that we have today with a contract extension," said ALSDE pro-tem Marie Manning. "Only in our K-12 schools, and those of you who are K-12, know we only work because we love children, but we do like to be paid for it, don't we? And so, I am so glad that we can do this. There's been a little rock in the road, but Dr. Mackey has gone back to the governor and her office and has asked for a reduction in the original amount. I want to see him raised up to where our superintendents in the local level, our chancellors in the two-year schools and four-year schools is more equitable."
District 1 board member Jackie Zeigler, the lone "no" vote on the raise, spoke about her opposition to the proposal and how the entire contract was handled.
"I am in no way against anything about Dr. Mackey and his leadership. He has made me proud to be associated with Dr. Mackey. I am very honored to be a part of the school board and all the things moving forward. But, I have to say that the revised contract, which was not provided until last night at seven o'clock, I think the process of how the contract was… procedures were laid out could have been done in a much better way."
She continued, "I received hundreds of emails and texts and phone calls from people who were concerned. And so, it needs to be understood that the contract process and the way it was initially set up was designed not to have that uproar with the new contract coming to fruition."
Without further debate or discussion, the ALSDE board voted to approve the contract, with Zeigler being the only member to vote against it.
Following the vote, District 8 board member Wayne Reynolds, who was out of town for the vote, sent 1819 News a statement, likewise condemning the process by which the contract was introduced and amended.
"I had the opportunity to view the livestream of the State Board of Education meeting in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on a cruise to Europe," Reynolds said. "The issue of Dr. Mackey's contract was resolved by a majority vote. I agree with the comments by Mrs. Zeigler that the process caused some significant divisions in the Board but was resolved late yesterday after 7:00 PM with an email. I received numerous communications and agree with the multitude who thought the $380,000 raise was not in the best interest of Alabama. The revised contract for $325,000 is more acceptable.
"My issue is not with Dr. Mackey's performance but with the procedure and process used. My fiduciary responsibility demands a careful a prudent approach to any issue before me as an elected State Board of Education member and Constitutional Officer. I applaud Governor Ivey and her leadership in bringing the Board in agreement with the 4 year contract extension," he added.
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