Fresno School Superintendent Larry Powell, Takes $800,000 Pay Cut…

 

Nowadays there is always something bad in the news. Well here’s a story that will warm your heart and restore your faith in America. Larry Powell, the superintendent for the Fresno County School District has asked the school board to let him give up his salary for the next three years which totals $800,000.00. Larry Powell still has three years left as superintendent and has opted to give up $288,241 in his salary each year. He is still earning some income but it is less than a teacher’s starting annual pay. He will work for $31,000.00 a year for the next three years. Powell says, “There’s no reason for me to keep stockpiling money” Powell and his wife for years now have wanted to think of way to give back.

 

Powell’s generous gesture will help ensure that his pet projects survive California budget cuts. His Pet project is a project that is dedicated to helping B and C students learn better note taking skills and to help develop strategy skills which will help them into college.

Powell’s lavish give back was so low key that it took 4 days for anyone to even hear about him giving up his salary. He didn’t make a big deal about this phenomenal thing he had just done. In fact, He didn’t even think what he had done was newsworthy and is surprised about all of the positive reactions stemming from his generosity. He genuinely just wants to help.

Larry Powell has always been a well driven and courageous person. He suffered from polio as a child which left him with a limp and a brace. He still was a champion High School wrestler and set a record for the rope climb, climbing a 20 foot rope in 1.8 seconds.

Powell and his wife stated that “Our goal has never been to have things, we want to give back.” America can learn a lot by this man’s generosity in an economic hard time.  The world could use a lot more people like Mr. Larry Powell.

 

CONTENT BY SASHA BOWICK