Dothan city schools spend more than average on administrative costs

The Dothan City Schools’ central office is often criticized for being top heavy, and a comparison with some other systems lends credence to this notion.

The city schools currently spends a little more than $3 million in central office salaries. Last year, it spent about $2.9 million, or 3.24 percent of its budget for administrative services.

According to Alabama Department of Education records for fiscal year 2008, compared to 10 other districts of similar size, the Dothan City Schools is a top spender when it comes to administrative services in real dollars and as a percentage of its budget.

Compared to school systems in Autagua County, Blount County, Calhoun County, Cullman County, Decatur City, DeKalb County, Etowah County, Lauderdale County, Lee County and Walker County, the Dothan City Schools is the second highest spender in real dollars on administrative services and is tied for second in spending as a percentage of its budget.

The average for the 11 school districts in central office expenditures was $2.39 million, or 2.69 percent of budget.

Dothan City School Superintendent Sam Nichols said he’s aware of the popular sentiment regarding central office expenses, and is looking for ways to make cuts. However, Nichols said the city schools administrative costs are below the 4 percent figure the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama says is the norm for school systems.

Nichols said part of the reason for the system’s high administrative costs may be its salary matrix which currently pays more than the state’s pay schedule. Nichols plans to recommend that the city school board adopt the state matrix for new hires and new promotions.

Nichols also said some retirements may also help reduce costs. The supervisor for exceptional student services and the maintenance director will soon retire, and Nichols does not intend to refill those positions. Next July, the director of federal programs is set to retire, and that position will not be refilled. Eliminating these three positions adds up to a savings of about $246,000.

Nichols said cuts to administrative services can cause problems however, as reducing positions increases the workload on remaining central office employees.

“Every job function is important,” he said.

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Central office salaries by department and position

Superintendent -- $147,534
Administrative Assistant -- $55,041

Director Exceptional Student Services -- $84,213
Supervisor Exceptional Student Services -- $81,213
Secretary -- $35,764
Clerk -- $28,864
Psychometrist -- $55,802
Psychometrist -- $54,362
Psychometrist -- $54,897
Psychometrist -- $54,362

Director Elementary Curriculum -- $88,616
Secretary -- $34,329

Director Federal Programs -- $105,261
Secretary -- $34,329

Director Secondary Curriculum -- $82,246
Secretary -- $34,441
ESL Teacher -- $54,897
ESL Teacher -- $54,827
ESL Teacher Assistant -- $18,221
ESL Teacher Assistant -- $17,876
School Instructional Specialist -- $67,849

Director Personnel Services -- $105,261
Administrative Secretary -- $40,562
Secretary -- $35,764

Director of Management Information Services -- $87,239
Secretary -- $34,789
Warehouseman -- $28,417

Director Technology Services -- $76,837
Assistant Computer/Elec. Tech -- $39,239
Elec. Tech./Asst. Network Admin -- $42,932
Elec. Tech./Security Systems -- $42,932
Network Admin. -- $47,593
Asst. Computer/Electronics Tech. -- $40,817

Chief Financial Officer -- $105,260
Staff Acct. -- $44,354
Gen. Acct. -- $37,056
Gen. Acct. -- $38,593
Gen. Acct. -- $36,365
Gen. Acct. -- $39,128
Gen. Acct. -- $39,128
Gen. Acct. -- 37,802
Admin. Sec. -- $41,352

Director Maintenance -- $59,582
Electrician -- $43,820
Lead Carpenter -- $32,420
Carpenter/Painter Foreman -- $34,201
General Laborer -- $27,138
Lead Painter -- $29,747
Custodian -- $29,300
Electrician -- $44,890
Laborer -- $27,959
Electrician Apprentice -- $29,044
General Laborer -- $27,138
Locksmith -- $37,089
HVAC System Mech. Senior -- $43,820
HVAC System Mech. Senior -- $44,355
HVAC System Mech. -- $29,747
HVAC System Mech. -- $29,397