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Board discusses possible pay increases for trustees; policy committee to draft recommendation
Summary
Trustees debated whether to raise school board compensation, with proposals ranging from modest per-member increases to larger changes; no action was taken and the policy review committee will develop a recommendation for a future board vote.
The Grand Forks Public Schools Board discussed whether to increase trustee compensation but took no formal action, agreeing instead to send the matter to the policy review committee for a recommendation.
Doctor Brenner framed the item by noting the board had previously discussed the policy and that it was pulled at the prior meeting for further conversation. The board asked the policy review committee to bring back options.
Trustees offered a range of views. One trustee suggested a $1,500 to $2,000 increase for members with higher stipends for the vice president and president to better align with peer districts. Another trustee recommended delaying any change until the next teacher/administrator negotiation cycle so increases would align with broader compensation discussions. Several trustees said compensation can help equalize access to service for people who cannot volunteer without pay; Trustee Amber Flynn noted babysitting and preparation costs can be a barrier for some potential candidates.
Trustee Doctor Hodeck summarized statewide variation: some districts have policies to pay board members while 13 states prohibit school boards from paying members by law. He cited Los Angeles Unified (as an illustration in the discussion) where salaries differ substantially depending on whether trustees are full-time. Trustees also emphasized the difficulty of direct district-to-district comparisons because responsibilities and committee assignments vary.
No motion was made. The policy review committee (members identified on the record) will draft options and return them to the full board for further discussion and potential action at a later meeting.
