During the monthly Franklin Special School District (FSSD) board meeting earlier this month, the Board voted to approve Director of Schools’ Dr. David Snowden’s contract through June 30, 2019.
Snowden has served as FSSD Director since 2001, coming to the district from a similar position in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The new contract includes a $170,000 salary this year, amounting to just over a 3% increase in base salary. Also added was language that provided any bonuses earned to be disbursed prior to his retirement rather than waiting until the following school year. However, for the past six years, Snowden has donated his bonuses back to the district to be used for things like extended contracts for teachers to tutor students outside of school hours, School Board ipads, and extended learning opportunities for teachers.
Board Chairman Tim Stillings said he is impressed with Snowden’s servant leadership and humility. In a district with 40 percent of its students considered living at the federal poverty level, the FSSD’s academic achievement success and state ranking in the top eight of all 144 school districts (reading/language arts, math and science) shows an intense passion to reach and support every student so they can reach the goals of college and career readiness.
Upon accepting the terms of the contract, Snowden told the Board, “This district is made up of so many true professionals whose only desire is to serve students and families. I am honored to be in this position. I don’t know how it could get any better than this.”
The next FSSD Board meeting is scheduled for Sept 21st at 6pm at Poplar Grove Elementary. More FSSD News
