Public commenter says proposed administrator pay bump is a “slap in the face” as taxes rise

A public commenter at an Eastern York School District board meeting on Monday criticized a proposed additional 1% pay increase for the superintendent and other top administrators even as property taxes have risen year after year.

“It's kind of slapping the in the face for young couples coming into our district,” the commenter said, arguing that newly reassessed homeowners and fixed-income families are harmed when administrators receive raises while taxes climb. The commenter said administrators already receive incremental increases and questioned why an additional raise is necessary when the district forecasts future tax increases to cover budget shortfalls.

The comment came during the patrons' hearing for agenda items only, when residents are allotted five minutes to speak. The speaker said the board had previously indicated the extra 1% was budgeted but expressed concern that “we found some extra money from saving this, this, and this” in prior years and questioned whether those savings would persist.

Board members did not take formal action in response to the comment during the meeting. Routine agenda items proceeded, and several motions were approved later in the session. The board's consent agenda and budget-related items, including the treasurer's report and multiple motions, were carried by voice vote.

The meeting packet included an agenda item that referenced a proposed 1% increase beyond a 3% base raise for the superintendent's contract and similar adjustments for assistant superintendent and business manager positions; the commenter urged the board to weigh the impact on taxpayers when considering administrative compensation.

The board is scheduled to continue regular business at its next meeting on August 20; no board vote on changing administrator compensation was recorded at Monday’s meeting.