Although first discussed last July, Decatur’s school board still hasn’t decided whether to seek a raise. The issue figures to draw considerable attention during the board’s next meeting on March 20.
Unlike the city’s commission or, for that matter, county commissioners, the school board cannot vote itself a compensation increase. It appears the board would either have to go through the general assembly, or get the city charter changed.
Chair Lewis Jones said this week the board favors asking the city to change the charter. But he added that the board’s still divided on how much the stipend should be, whether or not to seek health benefits, or even whether to pursue any raise at all.
Board members are paid $50 per meeting, counting work sessions and special called meetings. They don’t get paid for executive sessions, which can sometimes last for hours. Generally a board member makes $1,000 annually.
That fee likely dates to a quarter century ago or more when board members weren’t elected but appointed by city commissioners.
On Aug. 7 Decatur’s commission approved its first raise in 23 years, as the pay for commissioners jumped from $4,800 to $12,000 annually while the mayor improved from $6,000 to $15,000.
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