Chattanooga: Scales' buyout to cost $282,000

Monday, May 23, 2011

Hamilton County schools Superintendent Jim Scales will receive $282,111 for his early departure from the school system if school board members agree to buy out his contract Thursday.

The terms of his early departure were released today by the school system. Previously, school board attorney Scott Bennett said the buyout would amount to Scales' yearly salary plus payment for his accrued vacation and sick days, but the official amount was not released.

Today, the school system released proposed buyout agreement, which was negotiated by Scales, his attorney and Bennett. Scales will receive one check that includes his yearly salary of $202,274, plus $62,981 for his accrued vacation time and $16,200 for his vacation time had he stayed through June 30, 2012.

On top of that, Scales will be reimbursed for attorney's fees associated with negotiating the buyout. He also will continue to receive county health benefits until Dec. 31, 2011. This year he also became vested in the Tennessee teacher retirement system and will receive roughly $18,000 yearly from that program.

Earlier this month, Scales announced that he had been in negotiations with the school board to buy out his contract since February. Scales contract was set to expire in June 2012.

Board members must vote Thursday evening on whether to approve the contract buyout. If they do, Scales will make an exit July 1.

Mike Evatt, Everett Fairchild, Joe Galloway, David Testerman and Rhonda Thurman have all indicated they will support the buyout. Chip Baker, Linda Mosley, Jeffrety Wilson and George Ricks said they want Scales to finish his contract.