Burke BOE balances praise and prudence in Swan contract decision
Burke County’s school board voted 6-1 to extend Superintendent Mike Swan’s contract for another year — but without a raise — while narrowly voting to give him five extra personal-leave days.
The board chose to amend his contract at its June 16 special called meeting.
Board member Reid Beck cast the sole vote against the one-year extension to Swan’s contract but stated at the meeting his dissension had nothing to do with the superintendent personally.
“My voting no has nothing to do with Dr. Swan, whatsoever,” Beck explained. “We found some areas (that needed) improvement.”
According to Beck, the board has discussed those areas with Swan. “My vote would have been, in two years or next year, if those things were improved on, to extend his contract for two years.
“I think we are lucky to have him in Burke County,” Beck said.
Swan has been employed as superintendent since July 1, 2021. His contract was previously amended in July 2022, July 2023, and July 2024. When the latest amendment goes into effect on July 1, Swan will have a total of 15 personal leave days in his contract. His contract will now run through June 30, 2029.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the Board of Education for their continued support and for the opportunity to serve as superintendent of Burke County Public Schools,” the superintendent stated. “I fully understand that I serve at the pleasure of the board, and I respect the thoughtful dialogue and perspectives shared by each board member during the vote. I appreciate their transparency in explaining their decisions and value the trust they’ve placed in me.”
Swan said his commitment remains unchanged — “To wake up every morning with the same passion, energy, and focus I had on day one, always striving to do what’s right by our students.
“I’m honored to work alongside our dedicated leadership team, administrators, teachers, and support staff,” he concluded. “Together, we will continue to be all in and make Burke County Public Schools the very best it can be.”
In a follow-up statement, Beck expounded on his position.
“Our superintendent is currently under a four-year contract. Personally, I don’t see the value in voting to renew that contract annually — it creates uncertainty and disrupts continuity,” Beck explained. “If the superintendent makes meaningful progress on the areas identified for improvement — and I believe he will — I would be the first to make a motion to fully renew his contract for the entire term.
At the meeting, the board also voted 4-3 to include five additional personal leave days in Swan’s contract, giving the superintendent a total of 15 days.
Beck was joined by board members Sonya Rockett and Brad Camp in voting “nay” to Leslie Taylor’s motion that the board add the personal days, paid out of local funds, to Swan’s contract.
Beck explained his vote against granting the superintendent five additional paid vacation days, pointing to the school system’s nearly $4 million deficit and the consolidation of director positions. He also said the district is leaving some teaching and staff positions unfilled.
In light of that, Beck said he doesn’t believe it is fiscally responsible to increase paid time off for the highest-paid employee in the system.
Burke County Schools Public Relations Officer Cheryl Shuffler said the school system currently faces a $3.4 million deficit due to state and federal cuts, due in part to declining average daily membership, reduction in state low wealth funding, and a portion of federal funds being directed to the state's voucher (Opportunity Scholarships) program. Shuffler explained the system is addressing that shortfall, in part, by combining department head jobs as employees retire or leave the system.
“We are making (the deficit) up through attrition,” Shuffler explained. “Daniel Wall is taking on the director of transportation (position), as well as his duties as director of child nutrition.”
Beck explained that, regardless of the source, all funds represent taxpayer money, which he promised to manage responsibly.
“While I understand the argument that different funding sources are used for different expenses, I also believe that at the end of the day, a dollar is still a dollar,” he added. “I ran on a commitment to be a good steward of taxpayer money, and I intend to uphold that promise with every vote I cast.”
Beck said his statement reflects his perspective and is not an official position of the Burke County Board of Education.
Swan’s base salary is $191,421. The amendment approved in June 2024 included an increase in Swan’s travel reimbursement from $750 per month to $1,050 per month, and $20,000 in additional compensation at the end of each calendar year. The amendment allows Swan to allocate the additional money to his salary or a qualified retirement plan of his choosing.
According to govsalaries.com, other area superintendents’ base salaries (as of fiscal year 2023, the latest data currently available on the site) are Catawba County’s Matthew Stover, $198,001; Hickory City Schools’ Robbie Adell, $172,442; Caldwell County’s Donald Phipps, $216,625; and McDowell County’s (interim, at the time) Brian Oliver, 136,004.
Sandra Wilkerson Queen is the arts & entertainment editor. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2002, or sandra@thepaper.media.
