Dr. Lee Hicks will be serving as superintendent of Troy City Schools for five more years after the board unanimously approved a contract extension for Hicks Monday.

Hicks will continue to receive $124,400 a year according to the contract.

“Thank you for your support to lead this system,” Hicks said through tears at the Monday Board of Education meeting. “We’ve come a pretty good way in the seven years I’ve been here. You’ve all done a really wonderful job and it takes a lot of work. I couldn’t have done this without y’all and the community and I’ll try not to disappoint.”

Secretary Cecilia Mitchell said Hicks had been on a three-year contract, but decided to offer a five-year contract in this case.

“Dr. Hicks has such a caring spirit,” said board member Eva Green. “If you ask for something, he really listens and cares.”

The board also proclaimed the upcoming week of October 23-27 “Red Ribbon Week” in Troy City Schools, a campaign to fight alcohol and substance abuse within the community through a variety of school and community events.

Hicks also announced that September sales tax came in at $312,518, an increase of 14.8 percent form the same time last year. Utilities usage at the school from July to August was also down 13.7 percent.

Board member Roxie Kitchens thanked Hicks and Chief Financial Officer Mickey Daughtry for their work to get the budget accurate for the year.