Birmingham City Schools Dr. Mark Sullivan Now Among Highest Paid Superintendents in Alabama

By Rebecca Griesbach | rgriesbach@al.com Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Mark Sullivan, who led the district through the pandemic and has been praised nationally for recent gains, can continue in his role for at least another three years, board members voted Tuesday. His contract, which comes with a $300,000 salary and two additional vacation days, will position Sullivan among the state’s highest earning superintendents. His salary for the current fiscal year is $274,482, according to state data. Birmingham school board members approved the contract renewal on a 6-2 vote at a Tuesday board meeting, but the contract will still have to be reviewed and signed by the board president, as well as Sullivan and a representative. If finalized, Sullivan will make more than State Superintendent Eric Mackey, who earns about $285,000 per year. Creshal Threadgill, Mobile County’s superintendent, became the first superintendent to make more than $300,000 last year. “This has been a very difficult four years,” Sullivan said, remembering staff members who died during the pandemic and the difficulties of providing a safe environment for students to learn and regain lost ground. “Moving forward, we are committed to making sure that our school system is absolutely the best district that...