Board keeps pay at $65 per meeting; trustees discuss declining capture rate

The board voted to keep trustee pay at $65 per meeting after discussion about whether compensation changes should be considered given enrollment trends. A motion to retain the $65 rate was made by a trustee identified in the record as Smith; the motion passed by voice vote with those present answering "aye." No recorded roll-call opposition was noted on the audio record.

The compensation conversation returned to a discussion of the district’s capture rate — the share of school-age children who live in the district and attend district schools. A board member said the district’s capture rate fell from about 66% in 2015–16 to roughly 60% currently and suggested tracking that metric annually to inform future decisions, including potential pay adjustments. "That was kind of the main motivation," the board member said, arguing the metric could inform long-term strategy around enrollment and budget decisions.

Superintendent and fellow trustees discussed timing for any implementation. One trustee noted adjustments would more properly take effect in the 2025–26 fiscal year if reconsidered after the January organizational meeting and new members' seating. The Superintendent said the district office prefers logistical options such as biannual payments but did not propose changing the pay amount at this meeting.

The motion passed and the board will revisit compensation in January if trustees decide to advance a change; no immediate pay increase was implemented.