Superintendent Jackson gets contract extension through 2026

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Chatham County Schools will keep Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson at the helm through 2026 after the county’s board of education unanimously approved a one-year contract extension for him at its personnel meeting last Thursday.

The new contract includes a one-time 5% salary bonus from the 2021-2022 school year for performance achievements during the year. Jackson was initially hired in July 2021 with his contract originally ending June 2025; he has now been extended through June 2026.

Jackson’s annual salary will be $205,000 through the remainder of his term, which is set by the State Salary Schedule for Superintendents. For 2021-2022, Jackson received $215,250 in total compensation, including bonuses. The extension did not include an overall salary increase for the remaining years on his contract.

The 5% bonuses are awarded, according to his contract, based on the discretion of the CCS Board of Education. Jackson met performance goals set forth by the BOE, which are established prior to each school year.

“We are very pleased with the work Dr. Jackson is doing in the district and the high standards he brings,” said school board Chairman Gary Leonard. “We have seen a lot of growth this past year among staff and students, thanks to his leadership.”

CCS officials said they agreed on the contract extension and salary bonus because of Jackson’s work to keep the district on track during the pandemic. The superintendent has also revised the CCS Strategic Plan and launched a district-wide recruitment, retention, recognition and referral program.

Jackson’s efforts to increase enrollment at the Chatham School of Science and Engineering by 15% were also praised by CCS officials. He also has worked with staff on the restoration of the theater arts and dance programs at Jordan-Matthews and Chatham Central high schools, as well as the expansion of the AVID program to all middle and high schools.

“I am both humbled and honored to serve the Chatham County Schools community,” Jackson said. “Chatham County is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. I am proud to co-labor with our students, parents, staff and community as we engage in the work of building One Chatham for all students.”

Aside from the extension and one-time bonus, the rest of Jackson’s contract remains the same. The superintendent is allowed two days off per month with up to 96 hours of compensatory time off per fiscal year. The board also supplies Jackson with a phone, tablet and computer for work-related calls, emails and other technology needs. Other benefits include life insurance and a $1,000 monthly travel allowance.

Jackson has been an educator for more than 30 years. Prior to coming to Chatham, Jackson was superintendent of Vance County Schools — where he’d been since 2015 — and was recognized as the North Carolina Superintendent of the Year in 2020. Under his leadership at Vance County, WRAL reported in 2019 that the school system’s graduation rate had increased dramatically, and the dropout rate had fallen to 2.02% from a five-year high of 5.25%. Before his tenure there, Jackson was the leader of Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools for four years and at the Henry County Public School System for three.

Jackson replaced former superintendent Derrick Jordan after Jordan left the office to join the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in January 2021. He was chosen from a pool of 45 applicants across 18 states. At the time of his hiring, board members said he was chosen for his communications skills and commitment to fostering relationships within the Chatham County community.

The board seems to think Jackson has lived up to those qualifications. CCS was not required to vote on Jackson’s contract extension following the 2021-2022 year but felt it was appropriate following annual evaluations from state standards.

A copy of Jackson’s contract will be made available on the News + Record’s website.

Reporter Ben Rappaport can be reached at brappaport@chathamnr.com or on Twitter @b_rappaport.