By Staff
Leada DeVaney, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle city schools will soon have a new athletic director, a job once held by Principal Jerry Reeves.
Superintendent Dr. Lee Hartsell said he and Reeves had been talking for several years about creating a separate athletic director position. Reeves had been filling that position.
"The sentiment is we will be better served if this is changed," Board President Susan Puckett said.
The main issue is pay. The original job description, which included duties as drug testing coordinator, includes a supplement of $3,$00. The board opted to remove the drug testing coordinator duties, but are still debating about the additional pay that goes along with the job.
A small amount of the supplement would be shifted to the Drug Testing Coordinator, but the bulk would go to the AD. Reeves had been receiving the money as part of his salary and not a supplement.
According to Hartsell, Reeves salary would not be lowered after he relinquished the AD job.
Board member Kathy Goodwin said she didn't think the system could afford the new position.
"A classroom teacher could go and buy lots of supplies with $3,000," Goodwin said. "I don't think we should spend extra money for a position we're already paying for."
The board approved the job description but will decide on the salary supplement at its next meeting.