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Ashley Hayes ReportingMembers of the Jordan School board voted to give themselves raises this week, quadrupling their salaries and adding a cash insurance option. Jordan's the first school board to vote on its own salaries since a new law went into effect July 1 giving them that authority. Now more school boards want to follow suit.
At least two more school boards want raises after seeing the Jordan Board of Education quadruple its pay. The Alpine and Washington boards of education are studying the pay of other elected officials.
Until last week, the Legislature capped compensation at $3,000, but with the law change, now boards determine their own compensation.
Jordan board members voted to raise their annual pay from three $3,000 to $12,000. Members can also decline health insurance, for a cash equivalent of about $17,000. The total salary for a member who doesn't use district insurance comes close to $30,000.
Jordan's board president says the pay hike is compensation for important work that affects thousands of families. Advocates of the raise say district work is becoming a full-time job that deserves full-time pay.
Critics say this takes what was a volunteer service position and turns it into a part-time job with benefits. Hundreds of angry citizens called the Jordan School District about the decision to raise its pay, and we have hundreds of comments on our message board on the original story.
