Fred Rayfield will earn $139,500 in salary in the first year of a three-year contract to serve as superintendent of Decatur County Schools.

In May, Rayfield was chosen by the Decatur County Board of Education to succeed Ralph Jones, who retired after serving eight years as leader of the school system.

In addition to the salary, the board will provide Rayfield with family health insurance coverage through the State of Georgia health insurance plan for educators, pay the employee contribution toward the Teacher Retirement System, and provide an automobile for all professional use and personal use inside Decatur County.

Previously, the superintendent of Cook County Schools in Adel, Ga., Rayfield will have moving expenses to not exceed $5,000 paid by the board for his transition to Decatur County.

The contract calls for Rayfield to permanently relocate to Decatur County by Dec. 31, 2010.