By Gary Lloyd
HOMEWOOD — The Jefferson County Board of Education on Tuesday voted to part ways with Superintendent Stephen Nowlin, at least in that position.
The board approved an amended version of Nowlin’s contract that makes him an administrative officer for the remainder of his contract, and continues his regular monthly salary for 14 months. He will then be paid a lump sum buyout of $219,691.17 on Jan. 5, 2016.
Former Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Stephen Nowlin
photo courtesy of Jefferson County Schools
The board confirmed last month that the buyout of Nowlin’s contract was a possibility.
Board President Jennifer Parsons said the move was “a very careful” one and was “overwhelmingly emotional.” Board member Tommy Little said the decision was “not sudden by any means.”
An interim superintendent will likely be named at the board’s 10 a.m. Thursday meeting.
Nowlin was the Jefferson County Schools superintendent since January 2013. He was the Lee County Schools superintendent since 2008 prior to coming to Jefferson County. Prior to that, Nowlin served as interim superintendent of Lee County Schools from 2007 to 2008, and interim superintendent of Madison City Schools from 2006 to 2007.
Nowlin earned a satisfactory evaluation from the board in his first year. Nowlin was rated by the board on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being poor and 5 being excellent, in 11 categories. A score of 3 is average.
Nowlin’s best score was a 4.73 in the technology management category. Nowlin’s lowest ratings were a 3.26 in personnel management and a 3.2 in community relations.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
