The Johnston County School Board has released the contract of newly hired Superintendent Dr. Ross Renfrow. It shows his salary will nearly double from $110,600 to $215,022 in March when he assumes his new duties. The $104,422 salary hike is equivalent to a 94 percent salary increase. Renfrow was only candidate interviewed by the school board for the position.
On Nov. 16th, Renfrow was named as the replacement for retiring Superintendent Dr. Ed Croom.
At the time he was named superintendent, school officials said no contract had been signed. The newly released contract was dated Tuesday, December 8th, 22 days after the announcement.
Under the terms of the 13 page agreement, Dr. Renfrow, a 22 year veteran of Johnston County Schools, will assume his duties on March 1, 2016. The initial contract will be for a 3 year term ending June 30, 2019.
School board attorney Jimmy Lawrence said the contract could have been for a 4 year term but instead was for 3 years. Lawrence said the school board has the option to extend the current contract after the first year.
Renfrow will be paid the “maximum amount permitted from state funds…for Superintendents” plus an additional $64,750 from local school dollars to reach the $215,022 amount. (70 percent state funds, 30% Johnston County funds) That is the same salary Superintendent Croom is currently receiving.
Renfrow will also being given a 3 percent cost of living increase, with the first annual increase coming on July 1, 2016, just 4 months after assuming his new role. He will receive 15 days of annual leave and be reimbursed for both in-county and out-of-county travel. In addition, the school board agreed to give Dr. Renfrow an additional $10,000 per year to go in a retirement plan of his choice.
Within 90 days of his start date as superintendent, the school board and superintendent will agree upon 5 specific goals the board would like to meet. For each goal achieved by Renfrow, he will receive $2,500 for each goal, with a maximum amount of $15,000 for all 6 goals satisfactorily achieved.
If Renfrow is terminated from his position, he will receive compensation equivalent to 2 years of his salary, or until the end date of his contract, whichever is sooner. Renfrow agreed not to accept any outside employment that would interfere with his duties and responsibilities as superintendent.
Renfrow has been deputy superintendent since Jan. 2013.
