It pays to be an educator.

That's what a survey by The Citizen of Fayette County's five largest governmental entities shows.

Administrators in the school system top the pay list with Superintendent John DeCotis drawing a yearly base salary of $140,645, according to a response by the system to an Open Records request.

The second- and third-highest paid local government officials in the county also serve in the school system's central office in Fayetteville.

They are Deputy Superintendent Fred Oliver at $115,133 and Assistant Superintendent for Education Pam Riddle at $114,961.

Next in line at the school system is Lee Davis, comptroller, at $111,780.

The Citizen asked the school system, the county government and the cities of Peachtree City, Fayetteville and Tyrone to list their four highest-paid employees.

In Peachtree City, City Manager Bernard J. McMullen draws paychecks totaling $114,439 yearly. Colin W. Halterman, assistant city manager, Peachtree City, comes in at $111,170.86.

Next in Peachtree City are James Murray, chief of police; and Paul Salvatore, financial services director, both at $100,715.32.

Topping the salary list according to the county government report are Sheriff Randall Johnson at $110,571.44; Jack Krakeel, public safety director, at $106,436.48; Fletcher Sams, state court judge, $99,558.56; and Tony Parrott, utilities director, $96,760.46.

In Fayetteville, William J. (Joe) Morton Jr., city manager, is paid $97,784.44. Assistant City Manager and Police Chief Johnny Roberts gets a base salary of $87,358.44, the city reports.

Rounding out the top four in Fayetteville are Donald Easterbrook, director of engineering, $80,333.76; and Rick Eastin, director of water and sewer, $71,627.40.

Tyrone's top salary goes to Town Manager Barry Amos: $78,009.55.

Next are Tyrone Police Chief John Hay, Sgt. Steve Laferty and Major Van Brock. All have salaries under $60,000, the town reports.

Since the request was for the top four salaries paid by each government, no absolute ranking can be inferred.

The Citizen made the requests on March 16 and 17. Under the state's Open records law, officials may respond immediately but are allowed a maximum of three business days to answer the request.

Peachtree City responded with the requested information via e-mail the same afternoon the request was made, making it the fastest responder.

All others complied by providing the requested information within three business days.

The county government responded two ways. The county attorney's office used the U.S. Mail to send an official letter dated March 22, the last date allowed under the law, confirming that the request had been received but not providing the salary information.

But the county's administrative office sent via e-mail a spreadsheet that arrived before the attorney's letter. The spreadsheet contained the requested information within the law's time limit.

Fayetteville responded with the requested information via fax the day after receiving the request.

Tyrone reported computer problems but sent the requested information via e-mail by March 21.

Last to respond was the Fayette County School System, which provided the information on the last day allowed under the Open Records law.