The Rockdale County school board approved a 5 percent bonus, or $8,750, Thursday night for Rockdale Superintendent Richard Autry for achieving performance goals outlined in his contract.

This is Autry's third year heading the Rockdale County Public Schools system.

The vote was approved with five votes in favor - Jim McBrayer, Wales Barksdale, Brad Smith, Tony Dowdy and Mandy North. Members Katrina Young and Sharon Pharr abstained from voting.

The superintendent's contract spells out a list of about 49 goals he needed to either achieve or have "in progress" in order to be awarded the 5 percent bonus on top of his $175,000 annual salary.

Autry's contract also includes a 5 percent cost of living increase.

This year all RCPS employees are receiving a 3 percent pay increase. This thaw is a change from the last several years, where salaries and cost of living increases were frozen due to budget cuts or restraints.