The controversy

over the hiring of a full-time public information officer at the Coweta

County School System won't go away.

During Tuesday's

meeting of the Coweta County Board of Education, Superintendent of Education

Richard Brooks released a statement about the issue.

Since hiring

former Times-Herald business editor Dean Jackson as information officer,

the school system has been pummeled in the local media for paying Jackson

$70,000 a year after increasing property tax rates this year.

Brooks addresed

the questions by stating that Jackson's salary is $53,547 and the director

of public information is a new position but not an additional one.

"I understand

and recognize that most of the negative opinions which have been expressed

regarding the public information position are based on inaccurate information

or lack of information. Unfortunately, some criticisms have come from

those who have a personal agenda resulting from unwanted redistricting,

a child being suspended, or a transfer being denied," he said.

Brooks further

explained Jackson's salary:

"First,

an employee's salary and what we budget for an employee are different

figures. This is true with all school system employees.

"The budgeted

amount is 30 percent more than the actual salary and covers the additional

benefit costs associated with the employee. The budgeted amount for the

director of public information is what has been reported and commented

on in the press. Mr. Jackson's salary is actually $53,547 for 230 days

annually. The system has budgeted $69,611.10 to cover his salary and his

benefits.

"To put

this in a clearer perspective, a high school assistant principal with

eight years experience has a salary of $55,792 for 230 days annually.

With the benefits package, the system would budget $72,529 for this position."

Brooks then

explained the system had a part-time public information officer and a

part-time business partnership director that are now combined under Jackson's

duties.

The final point

Brooks addressed was his contract.

"Third,

I would like to clear up any misinformation regarding my contract. I became

eligible for retirement at the end of the 2000 school year. I was asked

they will need to conduct a nationwide search for my replacement.

"I agreed

to a two-year contract ending June 2002 based in part on my desire to

complete two projects that I conceived and helped developed.

"These

projects, which are important to not only the school system but to Coweta

County, are the Central Educational Center, which serves all of the high

schools and the public, plus the Fine Arts Center, which will serve all

of our students and the community."

Brooks added

residents still upset about the issue should contact him at 770-254-2800.