Granted permission by the state Legislature to do so, the Cherokee County School Board has approved raising the monthly compensation for its chairman to $1,200 from $600, and for board members, to $1,000 from $600.
The new pay takes effect in January 2019, according to a resolution recently passed by the school board. It was made possible by House Bill 306, approved by the 2017 General Assembly and signed by Gov. Nathan Deal on May 2.
The district in January passed a resolution asking Cherokee’s legislative delegation to seek the pay increase, the first since 2002. School officials have said it would take into account 2012 state legislation creating the countywide board chairman’s position and larger board member posts.
State law limits school board pay to $50 per diem unless the General Assembly passes special local legislation allowing higher compensation. The Legislature approved Cherokee school board compensation of $100 per diem in 1989 and 1994 and $600 per month in 2002. The Legislature did not provide for additional compensation for the chairman when it created the four-year elected position in 2012.
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