Superintendent Susan Purser has elected to forgo a built-in salary increase in her contract so the money can be used in the school system.

The Moore County Board of Education approved the revision to the contract Monday night in its monthly meeting. The revision eliminates an automatic salary increase for the 2009-10 school year.

Purser's contract calls for her to be paid $152,000. She would have gotten an automatic increase of $2,500.

According to board member Susan Black, who brought forth the motion, Purser "recognized the tough economic times" and thought the money could be used for Moore County Schools.

"I really appreciate Dr. Purser's sensitivity to this subject, because she absolutely deserves the money for the work she has done," Black said.