The Fayette County Board of Education has voted to renew its contract with Dr. John DeCotis, retaining him as the school system's superintendent for another three years.

The board unanimously voted to renew the contract during the regular board meeting on July 31. The new contract will go into effect on July 1, 2007 and end on June 30, 2010.

"Dr. DeCotis is arguably the best superintendent in the state and we are lucky to have him overseeing our school system," says Board of Education Chairman Terri Smith.

The board approved a base salary of $180,000 for the position after doing a salary comparison of other school superintendents in similar size systems including Coweta County, Douglas County, Paulding County, Columbia County, Houston County, Hall County and the surrounding metro Atlanta area.

"This new base salary is still under the average of metro Atlanta superintendents even though our superintendent's performance is far above average," adds Smith.

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 for Fayette County Schools.

He has also 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," comments DeCotis. 

DeCotis has over 28 years of experience with the school system as a teacher and administrator.

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