Jones received a contract extension in 2018, a move that bumped his pay from $150,000 per year to $170,000. He resigned with two years remaining on his contract that would have paid him $175,000 during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years.
The state association’s data showed the 2019-20 average salary across the state is $161,173.
The terms laid out in Thursday’s news release stated Jones would be paid a full year’s salary of $175,000 and receive $8,750 in deferred compensation in addition to 12 months of health coverage and a car allowance of $7,200.
However, the contract he signed in 2018 states “all salary and benefits” would cease on the effective date of any voluntary resignation, which would be the end of this month.
Assistant City Attorney Alan B. Spencer said the discrepancy might have come about through the mutual separation agreement between Jones and the school board. The Register & Bee submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for that document but was unable to verify whether it contained any new stipulations by the end of the day Friday.
Roberson, of the Danville Education Association, called the annual salary figures and benefits “fairly typical” for superintendents in her experience.
“People see that, and of course they’re not popular,” Roberson said, “but they’re not unusual to see.”
