School Board approves $22,587/month salary for interim superintendent, hires firm to scrutinize WCPS operations, finances

The Wayne County Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of Dr. James T. Merrill as interim superintendent for Wayne County Public Schools effective June 27.

Merrill is the former Wake County superintendent and has a resume that includes experience in Virginia Beach, Va., and Alamance -Burlington Schools.

He also was named North Carolina Superintendent of the Year in 2017.

Merrill will receive $22,587 per month through Dec. 31, 2020, or until the board hires a permanent replacement. He also will receive seven vacation days, a temporary housing allowance of $275 a week and a reasonable expense account.

He must work at least 40 hours on a four-day flex schedule week.

He will receive health and life insurance through the state retirement system.

The decision came on the heels of a nearly two-hour executive session Wednesday to discuss “personnel” and to “maintain attorney-client privilege.”

Wednesday’s meeting was a continuation of a recessed meeting Tuesday, which also included a multi-hour executive session.

When the board returned from Wednesday’s executive session, members voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Michael Dunsmore. The district also announced that Dunsmore has signed an agreement releasing the district from liability — which simply means he has agreed not to sue in the wake of his dismissal.

Dunsmore made $15,884.69 a month.

The board also voted to rescind its recent resolution granting emergency powers to the superintendent — a decision made in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dunsmore’s resignation is effective June 26.

The board did not discuss Merrill’s contract, how much he will be paid or other details of the agreement in open session. The contract was released after the meeting after a records request from the New Old North.

The board also announced that it has retained School Operations Specialists LLC to review all operations and financial dealings of the district and to make recommendations for the budget including potential savings.

School Operations Specialists will be paid $148 an hour, not to exceed $41,000.

The board ordered that the county school district staff cooperate fully with School Operations Specialists personnel.

The terms of the contract and the fact that the firm was to be hired at all also were not discussed in open session.