News Summary
The hefty salary of Brian Newsome, principal of Gray Collegiate Academy, has ignited debate over salary disparities among public school administrators in South Carolina. Earning $322,544 annually, Newsome’s compensation raises questions, especially as it surpasses that of other principals and superintendents managing larger student populations. As Gray prepares to expand, discussions surrounding equity in educational salaries and administrative responsibilities continue to unfold, prompting serious reflections on the governance of school funding and management.
Columbia, South Carolina – The salary of Brian Newsome, principal of Gray Collegiate Academy, has become a topic of heated discussion as reports reveal he earns $322,544 annually. This amount makes him one of the highest-paid public school administrators in South Carolina, raising questions about salary disparities within the education sector.
Newsome’s impressive pay is nearly double that of the highest paid principals in nearby districts, including Lexington 2 and Lexington-Richland 5. Furthermore, his salary approaches that of William Royster, who is the highest-paid superintendent in the state, overseeing the much larger Greenville County School District, which has 87 schools and around 80,000 students. By comparison, Newsome is responsible for just 932 students, representing only about 1% of Greenville’s total student population.
The information regarding Newsome’s salary was uncovered through a Freedom of Information Act request. As of the upcoming 2024 school year, Gray Collegiate Academy is planning to expand with a new campus in the Lexington-Richland 5 district, which aims to enroll an additional 600 students.
Since joining Gray Collegiate Academy in 2016, Newsome’s original salary was set at $313,150, with the possibility of a 3% annual raise linked to performance metrics over a five-year contract. This past year, Newsome received a raise of approximately 3%, adding nearly $10,000 to his pay. In contrast, five neighboring superintendents earn at least $55,000 less than Newsome while overseeing larger student populations and budgets.
For instance, Brenda Hafner, superintendent of Lexington 2, earns $128,000 less than Newsome despite managing a budget of $124 million for over 8,400 students. This highlights a stark contrast in compensation for superintendents who face greater administrative demands compared to Newsome’s role.
Typically, charter school principals, like Newsome, have historically earned less than traditional public school principals. In the 2015-16 school year, the average salary for traditional principals was $96,400, while charter school principals averaged $88,000. Discussions surrounding Newsome’s salary have also touched on concerns regarding fairness in high school sports, which have been ongoing since Gray Collegiate’s establishment in 2014.
Supporters of Newsome’s pay cite his unique role as the lead administrator for multiple campuses as justification for the high salary. The Charter Institute at Erskine, the authorizing body for Gray Collegiate Academy, states that it does not control employee salaries set by independent school boards. However, the Institute faces scrutiny over its spending practices, leading to potential changes that may enhance oversight on financial decisions within charter schools.
Newsome’s salary adjustments are based on growth and performance metrics that include student enrollment ratios and ratings on state report cards. The decision to set Newsome’s salary was made unanimously by Gray’s board, emphasizing their collective support for his compensation structure while navigating the complexities of educational administration in South Carolina.
As Gray Collegiate Academy expands and operates within a competitive educational landscape, the ongoing conversation about compensation among school administrators will likely continue, shedding light on disparities in salaries that impact educational governance.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Lexington County School Districts Announce Teacher Salary Increases
High Salary for Gray Collegiate Academy Principal Raises Eyebrows
Additional Resources
- The State: Principal Salary Controversy
- Wikipedia: Charter School
- PennLive: Charter School CEO Salaries
- Google Search: Education Administrator Salaries
- The State: Local Crime News
- Google Scholar: School Funding Reform
- PennLive: Cyber School Reforms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Educational Reform
- OAOA: Career Fair Announcement
- Google News: Teacher Salary Disparities
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.
