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.