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SALT LAKE COUNTY -- People angry over a proposed tax increase in the Jordan School District say Superintendent Barry Newbold's proposal to cut his salary by 10 percent is too little.
The move would reduce Newbold's annual salary from $237,000 to $213,000 and would take effect with his next paycheck.
But critics point out that Newbold received a roughly $40,000 pay increase two years ago. They say he's making far too much, especially in a district where the number of schools and students have been cut.
The Jordan School District says Newbold received a $10,000 increase two years ago and a significant increase from the board about four years ago, but it doesn't know where critics got the $40,000 figure.
Related:
Jordan School District eyes smaller tax increase
The Jordan School District Board considers a plan to raise taxes 20 percent instead of the previously-proposed 40 percent, in order to resolve a $33 million budget deficit. Also, the district superintendent is voluntarily taking a pay cut.District spokeswoman Melinda Colton says the proposed salary cut was Newbold's idea.
"When you've got a $33 million deficit, it's not going to help that much," she said. "But it's a gesture for employees."
Employees, particularly teachers, could receive what amounts to a 4.5 percent cut in salary this year because of the loss of nine paid work days.
Colton says the school board Tuesday night will consider a plan to raise taxes by roughly 20 percent, cutting the original proposal in half. The balance of the money will come from the district's rainy day fund.
But she says that may not be enough. She says 15 percent of the increase has been mandated by the Legislature to fund outstanding bonds that were in place before the district split and created the Canyons School District.
"What we're going to generate is a mere 5 percent that really is going to do us any good this year. We're going to be in exactly the same situation next year," she said.
The board is expected to vote on a final plan Tuesday night.
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
