During a recent Board of Education meeting, former board member Mrs. Baker raised significant concerns regarding a proposed increase in per diem compensation for board members. Addressing the board, she highlighted that an item previously discussed on July 16 had been removed from the agenda without explanation. This item had proposed raising the per meeting compensation from $75 to $130, a 73% increase.

Baker criticized the current agenda item, which she claimed lacked transparency by not disclosing the specific amount of the proposed increase. She revealed that the board was planning to approve a substantial raise to $166 per meeting, representing a staggering 121% increase. This increase would apply to all types of meetings, including regular sessions, study sessions, and special executive meetings.

Baker expressed her discontent, noting that while board members were considering such a significant pay raise, district staff—including bus drivers, secretaries, and custodians—had only received a 4% raise for the upcoming school year. She emphasized the disparity between the proposed compensation for board members and the modest increases for district employees, questioning the ethics of such a decision.

In her closing remarks, Baker urged the board to reconsider the proposed increase and suggested amending it to a more modest raise of $78 per meeting. Her comments have sparked discussions about transparency and fairness in compensation within the educational district, raising questions about the priorities of the board in light of the financial realities faced by district staff.