Board tables AB 1390 stipend change; schedules study session to consider raising trustee stipends

The board held an extended discussion about AB 1390 and related Education Code provisions that allow county boards to change trustee stipend limits.

General counsel explained that AB 1390, effective Jan. 1, amends elements of the Education Code to permit higher monthly stipends tied to county average daily attendance (ADA) bands. Counsel said Kern County is class 2 under the statute and that the new statutory maximum for class 2 counties is $2,000 per month; previously the statutory monthly cap (where applicable) amounted to $400 in Kern County under older provisions. Counsel explained the board’s current bylaw (board bylaw 9250) caps pay at $80 per meeting and that the bylaw would need to be revised to adopt any new monthly maximum under the amended Education Code. Counsel said, "The current stipend that the board is entitled to receive is $80 per board meeting attended" and explained procedural steps to change the bylaw and to allow individual trustees to decline payment in writing.

Trustees asked whether declining payment would remain private; counsel said a written declination to the county office could be subject to a public‑records request. Finance staff explained that stipend payments would come from LCFF unrestricted funds and could change the bottom line for discretionary use; staff said the district may be drawing on reserves in the current year and that LCFF funding is contingent on ADA and unduplicated counts.

Several trustees said they wanted more time to review the law and proposed a study session to examine options and peer district practices. One trustee asked staff to collect data on other county and district stipend levels (some boards have already adjusted pay). The board agreed to schedule a study session and took no action on AB 1390 at this meeting; the item will return for further consideration.