The new contract

will go into effect April 15, 2002, and end April 14, 2005, but the board

voted to make the salary increase effective next month.

"Dr. DeCotis

is arguably the best superintendent in the state and we are lucky to have

him overseeing our school system," said Board of Education Chairman

Mickey Littlefield.

The board approved

a base salary of $129,572 for the position after doing a salary comparison

of other school superintendents in the metro Atlanta area, said school

system spokesman Melinda Berry-Dreisbach. The new salary is 3.31 percent

below the average of school superintendents in the surrounding counties,

she said.

DeCotis' current

annual pay is $102,485.

"This

new base salary is still under the average of comparable superintendents

even though our superintendent's performance is above average," said

Littlefield.

In addition

to the salary increase, DeCotis will receive an increase in his auto allowance

from $500 to $600 a month. Under the contract, the board must notify DeCotis

a year ahead of time if it intends to not renew the contract at the end

of three years.

DeCotis assumed

the office of superintendent in the spring of 1999. Just prior to becoming

superintendent, he was the assistant superintendent of curriculum and

instruction.

He also has

served the school system as executive director of K-12 curriculum and

instruction and director of elementary education.

"I am

grateful to have the opportunity to continue to serve the community as

the school superintendent," said DeCotis.

DeCotis has

more than 20 years of experience with the school system as a teacher and

administrator.

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