HIGH SCHOOLS Salem's principal, Brink explain contract

The coach's reported salary figure was incorrect, according to Mr. Beatty.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SALEM -- Reports that new Salem High boys basketball coach Jeff Brink will make more than $70,000 next year are wrong, Salem principal Scott Beatty said Wednesday.
Beatty, responding to figures from a story in Wednesday's Vindicator, said Brink's total compensation package next year will be $55,076, almost exactly what he would have made as a teacher at Springfield High next year.
Brink's salary at Salem will be the same as any teacher with similar qualifications, Beatty said. Brink has 10 years of teaching experience, six years of coaching experience and a master's degree.
"Any other coach would make the exact same salary and get the same benefits," Beatty said. "Nothing more, nothing less."
Change of venue
Brink, who has been Springfield's coach the past five seasons, was hired at Salem last week.
His base salary to teach at Salem in 2003-04 will be $46,555, with a coaching stipend of $5,899, Beatty said. Salem also picks up half of his contribution to the retirement fund -- 5 percent ($2,622) -- which is something the school district does for all teachers.
Had Brink stayed at Springield, he would have made $50,592, Springfield superintendent Debra Mettee said today.
Brink called the $70,000 figure "ridiculous."
"I don't know where that's coming from," Brink said. "It's not accurate."
Added Beatty, "I feel a disservice has been done to our teachers and to Jeff Brink."
At a Springfield board of education meeting Tuesday, several residents spoke out in frustration over Brink's departure. Some of that frustration may have led to the rumors, Beatty said.
"I'm sure they really feel like they lost a quality individual," Beatty said. "I believe we're feeling the repercussions of that.
"More than anything, we have a quality person coming to Salem and this kind of start is not fair to him," Beatty added. "We feel blessed to have him. Somebody else's loss is definitely our gain."