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Board begins first reading to update trustee pay after AB 1390; student member stipend set at $350
Summary
Following passage of AB 1390, the board opened a first reading to revise Bylaw 9250 on trustee compensation; trustees vigorously debated amount and retroactivity and agreed on a change to student board member pay ($350/month) while deferring final trustee pay decisions for further consideration.
The Modesto City Schools board opened a contentious first reading on June 8 to revise Board Bylaw 9250 after California Assembly Bill 1390 gave districts authority to set trustee compensation up to $3,000 per month. Trustees and staff debated appropriate monthly compensation, retroactivity and timing.
Superintendent Petrago said the recommended bylaws language was drafted to be consistent with AB 1390 and would allow monthly trustee compensation up to $3,000. Debate among trustees highlighted divergent views: some argued for immediate, full implementation to address 40 years of no increase, while others urged a phased approach or delay because of concurrent negotiations with employee groups and budget pressures.
Trustees ultimately directed staff to revise the bylaw language for a first reading that included a revised student board member stipend of $350 per month for each student member (rather than splitting a trustee's pay) and moved the trustee-compensation discussion forward with an effective date question in the motion. After debate, the board voted to advance the first reading with changes (majority approval); trustees agreed to continue conversation to set the trustee amount and effective date at the second reading on June 22.
Representative quote: "For 40 years, boards have not had adjustments — the spirit of the law is that we get representation... unless you are young or retired it is not sustainable to serve on a board for $765 a month," Vice President Daly said during debate.
Why it matters: AB 1390 allows districts to modernize compensation to make service feasible for a broader cross-section of the community. Modesto trustees acknowledged the need to balance equity for board service with timing, budget implications and community expectations.
Next steps: Staff will prepare the second reading and final language (including the trustee compensation amount and effective date) for the board's June 22 meeting; staff were directed to include student-member pay at $350/month in the draft bylaws.
