Another resolution on the docket tomorrow is a pay increase for the school board members themselves. They want to increase from $2,500 to $3,000 for board members and a little more for officers.

Why?

The justification is that board members of other local boards make more and the school board needs to have comparable compensation. For example, a West Bend City Alderperson is paid $4,236 per year plus a $30 per month expense allowance. A Washington County Supervisor is paid $6,600 per year plus per diem and mileage. The board already voted unanimously to approve the pay increase and is asking the electors opinion.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I won’t be at the meeting, but if I were, I would vote against this resolution. While I vacillate on the merits of either highly compensating elected officials with the goal of attracting better talent and paying them next to nothing so that the positions attract people for altruistic reasons, that only really applies to full time boards. While it does consume a lot of time, the school board is a part-time elected position. The difference between $2,500 and $3,000 isn’t going to alter the quality of the candidate pool one iota, so I don’t see any purpose in making a change.

If anything, I’m looking to the Washington County Supervisor compensation and wondering why it’s so high…