Greenville County Schools Superintendent Dr. Phinnize (Penny) J. Fisher received a positive evaluation and a one-year contract extension through June 30, 2013, from the Greenville County School Board during her annual performance review conducted today.
Dr. Fisher and the School Board agreed for a second year that a salary increase, historically awarded each year, would not be appropriate given the current economic conditions. The superinten-dent’s salary will remain at $218,166 for the third consecutive year as the leader of the state’s largest and nation’s 51st largest school district.
“Dr. Fisher advocates for what is right for children and teachers and has done a remarkable job maximizing our limited resources for classroom instruction and essential support for schools,” said Board Chairman Megan Hickerson. “We are fortunate to have Dr. Fisher as our school system leader as we face extremely difficult times with continuing state budget cuts. The School Board is very supportive of Dr. Fisher and looks forward to working with her for continued success.”
The superintendent is evaluated each spring, at which time the Board can consider a contract extension and/or salary increase. The superintendent is evaluated in four major areas: organizational values, development and implementation of the Education Plan, delivery of educational programs, and superintendent/board partnership.
Dr. Fisher is completing her sixth year as superintendent. In May, 2004, the Board of Trustees approved a three-year contract with Dr. Fisher as the ninth superintendent of Greenville County Schools. Her initial salary was based on a market analysis of similar-size school systems in the Southeast.
Dr. Fisher joined Greenville County Schools in 1996 as Assistant Superintendent of Middle School Education after serving as an associate superintendent and principal in Montgomery County Schools
(Md.). She began her 40-year education career in 1969 as a teacher in New Jersey and later became a reading supervisor and principal in Plainfield Schools (N.J.).
Dr. Fisher received a bachelor’s degree in education from St. Paul’s College in Virginia, a master’s degree in education from Rutgers University, and a doctorate of education from Rutgers University. She also completed post-graduate studies at UCLA and the University of Utah.
