Cherokee County seeks higher pay for school board members

The Cherokee County schools are seeking state legislation authorizing higher compensation for School Board members. AJC FILE

The Cherokee County schools are seeking state legislation authorizing higher compensation for School Board members. AJC FILE

The Cherokee County School Board has approved a resolution asking state lawmakers to pass local legislation increasing their monthly compensation, to $1,200 from $600 for the chairman and to $1,000 from $600 for board members.

The resolution, directed to members of the Cherokee legislative delegation, requests the first such increase since 2002 and takes into account 2012 state legislation creating a countywide board chair and larger board member posts, the district says.

Cherokee Council of PTA President Kathy Strom submitted a letter supporting the increase on behalf of her executive board and school PTA presidents.

“(Board members’) compensation rates have not been adjusted in many years; and though they will never be appropriately compensated for the hours of travel and time they put into their roles, it certainly should not be a position that ends up costing them money to serve,” Strom said.

According to the resolution, state law limits school board pay to $50 per diem unless the General Assembly passes special local legislation allowing higher compensation. The Legislature approved compensation for Cherokee school board members of $100 per diem in 1989 and 1994 and $600 per month in 2002. The state created the position of chairman, a four-year countywide elected position, in 2012 without increased compensation.