School Board Votes Down Pay Raise
Aug. 23–Members of the Grand Forks School Board will continue to be paid $1,000 a year following their rejection of a pay increase Monday night.
Board member C.T. Marhula proposed that the annual compensation be raised to $2,400, with an additional $500 for the board chair. Board members who attended more than 10 meetings of any one committee during a year would have been compensated $50 for the 11th and all additional meetings.
Marhula pointed out that any board member could decline compensation for serving on the board. Or they could donate their salary to a school PTO.
The board chair should be paid more because he has more responsibility, Marhula said. Of his suggestion that board members get a pay bump, he said, “it enhances the status of the responsibility.”
David Helgerson, one of the newest board members, said he didn’t even know board members were paid when he ran for the position. He said being a board member was voluntary and a way to serve the community.
Board member Tim Lamb said the $1,000 salary was a “token” and if the board didn’t raise their salaries, they should do away with them.
“I think what happens with lack of compensation is that you get an elitist board,” Lamb said. Some people would like to run for school board but can’t afford it.
Dr. Eric Lunn, the current board chair, said he didn’t believe the chair should get extra compensation. He said one of the problems with compensating board members for attending a certain number of meetings was keeping track of attendance.
A memo from Superintendent Mark Sanford reported school board compensation from 15 North Dakota school districts, including Grand Forks. Fargo was $750 a month; Bismarck $400 per month or $4,800 a year; Minot $300 a month or $3,600 a year; Devils Lake $50 a meeting; and Williston $250 per month.
Grand Forks City Council members are paid $5,200 a year and Grand Forks County Commissioners $14,400 a year, plus $50 for certain meetings.
The School Board voted 6-2 to keep the current $1,000/year compensation. Voting yes: Deanna Carlson Zink, Helgerson, Scott Jensen, Lunn, Bill Palmiscno, Mike St. Onge. Voting no: Lamb, Marhula. Absent: Lyle Hall.
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