Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has been awarded a one-year contract extension and given a bonus of $3,000 based on overall high marks given by the Board of Education in a recent performance evaluation. The bonus is the same amount as certified staff have received over the past two years.

During Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Board voted 7-0 to grant the extension and bonus. Those voting in favor were Chairman Danny Parkerson, and fellow members Kate Miller, Alan Hayes, Shaun Tubbs, Jim Beshearse, Jamie Cripps, and Jason Miller.

Cripps, who has earned an annual salary of $90,000 will get the extra $3,000 bonus to be paid in equal payments before June 30, 2021. Starting July 1, 2021 the Board shall pay the Director an annual salary of $93,000 and he will be entitled to the same salary raises that the Board shall grant to all licensed employees going forward.

The director’s contract was to run through June 30, 2022, but with the one year extension, he will now serve as Director at least through June 30, 2023. Cripps has been director since July, 2015.

Results of the Board of Education’s annual performance evaluation of Director Cripps show he is meeting “most” expectations of the board. His overall average score is 4.19 out of a possible 6 score.

In accordance with state law, the school board is required to develop and implement an evaluation plan to be used annually for the director of schools. Board members used a four page evaluation form to rate Director Cripps, one to six, in each of 60 areas from eight categories including on his relationship with the Board, the Community, Staff and Personnel, Educational Leadership, Business and Finance, Personal Qualities, Strategic Planning Skills, and Tennessee Specific questions.

Each board member scored Cripps in all areas from the categories on the form. The scores were then averaged to arrive at the grand total score. The completed forms were sent to officials of the Tennessee School Boards Association where the scores were tabulated and averaged.

In the overall evaluation report, Cripps scored highest, 4.57, in “business and finance.” He scored lowest, 3.71,  in “strategic planning skills.”