The District 5 board may have a financial bargain.

They will pay new interim Supt. Akil Ross $175,000 over the next year

That’s $51,369 less than the $226,368 a year the former district board paid former Supt. Christina Melton.

The new board agreed to pay her that for another year to get her to resign.

Ross is a popular former national principal of the year at Chapin High and may become Melton’s permanent successor.

The contract is with Ross’s education consulting firm, HeartEd, for 12 monthly payments.

This will count as income for Ross from the firm, according to the contract beginning July 1.

The contract includes:

• Ross will act as the school board’s chief executive officer, oversee personnel, instruction and business affairs and make recommendations to the board.

• The board will refer criticisms, complaints and suggestions to Ross for appropriate action.

• Ross will be reimbursed for expenses up to $1,200 a month for in-district travel costs.

• If Ross wishes to serve as superintendent full-time, his application will be given due consideration.

• The agreement may be terminated at the convenience of either party on 60 calendar days’ written notice.

The board hired Ross after Melton’s sudden resignation June 14.

Although the board denies it, board member Ed White, who also resigned, said she was forced out.

Critics questioned why this happened to Melton, who had just been named South Carolina’s superintendent of the year.

Sources have said Melton was aligned with the former board and it’s handling of new school locations including the one on narrow Amicks Ferry Road.

Voter unhappiness with district spending and school locations led to the election of 4 new board members.