Fox said this afternoon that he is pleased with the negotiated contract. The salary is at the low end of what board members sought in negotiations. Board members asked Fox to negotiate a salary close to $250,000, though Register initially asked for $275,000.
"He got a sense of what the board wanted, what the board was going to be comfortable with," Fox said. "He made it clear he wanted to wind up in Nashville, and he didn't want to do so with a compensation package that was a distraction. ... I think we've settled on an amount that's fair."
The salary of former Director of Schools Pedro Garcia was $218,000 at the time of Garcia's resignation, plus a benefits package adding up to a total compensation worth about $250,000. Register has indicated that he does not plan to avail himself of most insurance benefits, and it has been estimated by search consultant Bill Attea that Register's total package will cost the district about $10,000 more than the base salary level.
A salary of $250,000 would make Register one of Metro's highest-paid employees. According to information from Metro's human resources department, Metro Health Department Director William Paul earns $182,500 and Police Chief Ronal Serpas $173,427. Mayor Karl Dean earns a salary in the range of $140,000.
The only Metro incomes in the same range as Register's offer are the leaders of government franchise entities, including Nashville Electric Service and the Metro Nashville Airport Authority.
But Fox said Tuesday that Register's prospective salary is comparable to that in similar sized cities – a $250,000 base salary is right in the midst of what is paid to superintendents in Memphis; Greensboro, N.C.; San Antonio and Austin, Texas.
"This is a market-driven compensation level," Fox said. "We're getting someone who is a proven success. ... I think this is a low-risk, high-return investment for our district."
School board members decided Dec. 20, in a seven-to-two vote, to begin negotiations with Register. Register worked for 10 years as superintendent of Chattanooga's Hamilton County Schools before stepping down in 2006.
If Register is officially hired early next week, he'll be expected to hit the ground running. Fox said Register will, if he is hired, probably attend the board's next regular meeting Jan. 13 to hear an update on the district's progress from Tennessee Department of Education accountability chief Connie Smith.
Register would also probably be involved in a Jan. 15 public meeting scheduled to take place between the school board and Mayor Karl Dean.
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