by Samantha Sinclair
White County News
White County Schools Superintendent Dr. Laurie Burkett is getting her first raise in five years.
The White County Board of Education approved a raise of just over $17,000 to $158,984.50 for Burkett at a called meeting Wednesday morning after a two-hour executive session. The contract also included a $2,000 increase in travel expenses to $12,000 and a one-year contract extension.
Board Chair Missy Jarrard said after the meeting that the board had never given Burkett a raise in the five years she’s been superintendent.
“She was the second-lowest paid superintendent in our RESA,” Jarrard said, referring to the Pioneer Regional Education Service Agency which supports 15 school districts in Northeast Georgia. “Even though she’s the second-lowest paid, our schools perform at the top of RESA.”
She added that Burkett met or exceeded all goals the board set for her.
“She’s doing great things,” Jarrard said.
The newly approved contract starts July 1, and was extended to June 30, 2026.
Burkett has served 33 years in education, with 31 of those years in White County.
