Gwinnett Daily Post

SUWANEE - J. Alvin Wilbanks will continue to serve as superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools for at least another two years.

The Gwinnett County Board of Education voted on Thursday evening to extend the contract for another two-year term. Wilbanks' new term begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2010.

The school board also voted to amend Wilbanks' current contract to reflect a change in his retirement pay. Instead of making a contribution to the Gwinnett Retirement System, the school board will pay Wilbanks a $3,500 per month retirement supplement, according to the contract.

Wilbanks' base salary is $262,030, said Sloan Roach, the school district's spokeswoman. His total compensation package, which Roach said is worth $353,252 per year, includes a 4.37 percent cost of living increase equal to that of the average increase for teachers, his current transportation allowance of $1,500 per month, his current expense allowance of $1,200 per month and the $3,500 monthly retirement supplement, the contract states.

"I'll give you my best as long as I'm here," Wilbanks told the board members after they extended his contract.

Wilbanks has worked for 44 years as an educator in Georgia. He was named chief executive officer and superintendent of the Gwinnett County school district in 1996.

During his tenure, Wilbanks has received many awards. In 2005, he was named the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year and the Georgia Superintendent of the Year. He was also one of four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year.

In other business, Carole Boyce was elected chairwoman of the school board. This is her first time serving in that role. Daniel Seckinger was elected as the board's vice chairman.