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The Chambers County School Board approved a 2 percent salary increase for the superintendent, Dr. Casey Chambley, which comes from a statewide salary increase to all school system employees, during Monday night’s school board meeting. 

The Alabama Department of Education issued a salary increase for all school employees across the state, including superintendents. But because of state law, the superintendent’s raise has to be approved by the board members separately from the regular salary schedule.

As of FY2023, the current school board salary was $123,559, according to the State of Alabama Department of Education. The salary increase would mean the school system superintendent would have an annual salary of 126,030.18.

In comparison, the Lanett City Schools Superintendent’s salary was $121,180 for FY2023. Lee County Schools Superintendent’s salary was $262,744, and the Tallapoosa County Schools Superintendent’s salary was $133,824. 

Of the 107 county school systems in Alabama, Chambers County Schools superintendent salary is the seventh lowest. Counties like Randolph, Clarke and Wilcox are nearest to Chambers County with salaries of, respectively, $125,000, $125,000 and $126,243.

Across the state line in Georgia, the newly appointed superintendent of Troup County School System has a current salary of $225,000. As of 2022, the former superintendent of Harris County School System received a salary of $179,015.

The salary increase will be made effective July 1, 2024.

The salary schedule, which allocates a 2 percent raise to all school system employees, was also approved by the board members during the meeting. 

This year, the superintendent seat is on the local ballot in November. The current superintendent lost the Republican primary race to Dr. Sharon Weldon. Weldon will run for the seat against Democratic candidate Dr. Winford Ashmore.