News Summary
Brian Newsome, principal of Gray Collegiate Academy, earns an impressive annual salary of $322,544, significantly higher than neighboring school district principals. Despite overseeing only 932 students, his compensation is nearly equal to that of the highest-paid superintendent in the state. As the academy plans expansion, the justification of his salary has been met with scrutiny regarding the disparity in administrative compensation within charter schools.
Columbia, South Carolina – Brian Newsome, the principal of Gray Collegiate Academy, commands a staggering salary of $322,544 annually, nearly double the pay of the highest-earning principals in surrounding school districts. This compensation puts him on par with the highest paid superintendent in South Carolina, William Royster, who oversees 87 schools and nearly 80,000 students.
As of the start of the 2024 school year, Newsome’s salary was just $5,000 less than Royster’s. However, Newsome manages only 932 students, which accounts for approximately 1% of the total student body in Greenville County. This significant disparity has raised eyebrows, particularly as Newsome’s salary is largely funded by taxpayer dollars.
Gray Collegiate Academy is set to expand into the Lexington-Richland 5 school district, with plans to enroll around 600 additional students in the upcoming school year. Newsome has been at the helm of Gray since 2016 and is under a contract that stipulates an annual 3% salary increase based on performance metrics. This arrangement has resulted in a pay raise of about $10,000 since the original contract was signed.
In comparison, superintendents from five Midlands school districts earn at least $55,000 less than Newsome. For instance, Brenda Hafner, the superintendent of Lexington 2, earns $128,000 less while overseeing a district that serves over 8,400 students and manages a budget of $124 million. Furthermore, Keith Price (Lexington 1) and Todd Anthony Walker (Richland 1) earn around $86,000 and $87,000 less than Newsome, respectively.
National data from the 2015-16 school year indicates that charter school principals, on average, earn less than traditional public school principals, with salaries of $88,000 for charter schools compared to $96,400 for traditional schools. Newsome’s current compensation reflects a notable increase from historical averages in the charter school sector.
Pennie Peagler, chair of Gray’s board of directors, has stated that Newsome’s salary is justified by his numerous responsibilities. He serves as principal for two campuses and a middle school without the extensive administrative support typically found in traditional public schools. In addition, charter schools like Gray are publicly funded through state and federal contributions. Last year, Gray received approximately $9.2 million in funding.
It is important to note that the lack of a centralized administrative office for charter schools requires administrative staff to undertake multiple roles, which Peagler argues further substantiates Newsome’s salary. His contract includes incremental pay increases linked to reaching enrollment and budget goals and excelling in performance metrics compared to local districts.
Despite the high salaries, the Charter Institute at Erskine, which authorizes Gray’s charter, has come under scrutiny for its spending and oversight practices. The organization recently spent over $200,000 on travel within a single year, raising questions about the appropriate use of funds within the charter school system.
Overall, the discussion surrounding Newsome’s salary highlights broader issues related to compensation within charter schools versus traditional public school systems, particularly as funding comes from taxpayer dollars and accountability measures continue to evolve.
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Additional Resources
- The State: Principal Compensation Concerns
- Wikipedia: Charter School
- ABC Columbia: Green Charter Schools Response
- Google Search: South Carolina Charter Schools
- Post and Courier: Irmo Green Charter School Incident
- Google Scholar: Charter School Leadership Compensation
- Fits News: Allegations at Midlands School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
