Birmingham Schools Super Intendent Gets a Fancy Pay Raise!
Hey, Birmingham! Big news out of the city’s school board this week as they’ve given a thumbs up for a brand-new contract for the popular Superintendent Mark Sullivan. On Tuesday, November 12, the board members made it official with a three-year contract extension and a nice little bonus to his paycheck—almost $25,000 more than his current salary of $274,482. That’s right, he’ll be taking home $300,000 when all is said and done!
What’s All the Fuss About?
Sullivan has been at the helm since August 2020, guiding the Birmingham City Schools through the challenging waters of the pandemic. His leadership has garnered attention far beyond the Magic City, thanks to recent significant improvements seen in the district. Under his watch, Birmingham has seen a whopping 19 percentage-point increase in reading scores. Impressive, right?
At the board meeting, the vote for Sullivan’s new contract came in at 6-2. While it still needs the final touch from the board president and Sullivan himself, everyone seems excited about what’s next. Once everything is signed, he’ll even be earning more than the State Superintendent Eric Mackey, who takes home about $285,000 a year. Talk about a jump to the big leagues!
Commitment to the Community
Sullivan, who started with a salary of roughly $231,000, has been noted as a diligent leader. He shared some heartfelt reflections about how the last few years have been tough—not just because of the pandemic, but also due to the loss and struggle that came with it. “This has been a very difficult four years,” he said, remembering those lost during the crisis. But he also keeps his eyes firmly on the future, assuring community members that great things are on the horizon for Birmingham City Schools.
It’s not just talk, either! Sullivan recently received a score of 3.57 out of 4 on his latest evaluation, putting him firmly in the ‘above expectations’ category. Board President Jason Meadows highlighted the additional scrutiny that Birmingham’s board faces compared to other states, as they’ve tweaked the evaluation process to incorporate student achievement as a key factor.
Voices from the Community
The community has rallied around Sullivan, with many parents taking the floor to express their support. Hazel Boykin, a local parent, spoke passionately, stating, “Our schools are moving forward. He knew there was a problem in the school system, but thank God, he brought it out.” It’s clear that the community has been feeling the positive impact of his hands-on leadership style.
But Not Everyone is on Board
Despite the majority support, there were a couple of board members who cast a dissenting vote. Neonta Williams and Derrick Billups recognized the progress Sullivan has made, but they expressed concern over potential issues regarding staff morale and accountability. Billups mentioned that while he stands by Sullivan, he believes more data is needed to justify such a hefty pay raise in today’s budget climate, where many districts are making tough cuts.
Looking Ahead
The board has made it clear that assessments of Sullivan will now also align with district goals such as academic growth and improving teacher effectiveness. So, while Birmingham schools are currently on solid financial footing, it seems they are gearing up for even greater challenges and opportunities in the future.
As Sullivan heads to Harvard University next week to co-teach a course highlighting the successes of Birmingham City Schools, all eyes will be watching how the future unfolds. Will this pay raise propel the district to even greater heights? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Birmingham is making its mark!
