School Board Compensation Becomes Issue

Anita Weston, Chris Coray, Reporters

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  January 21, 2015.  Rich County School Board compensation was discussed by the board and by Mayor John Spuhler of Garden City and Scott Tolentino, who were in attendance.  Previous school boards have voted for themselves and their families a taxpayer funded compensation package that includes $250/month pay, $60 for each meeting attended, 45 cents per mile for board related travel, reimbursement for expenses directly related to board work, and a substantial taxpayer funded health benefit (including dental).  The health and dental benefit cost is by far the largest component of the total compensation and varies depending on family size and options selected but that health benefit cost to the taxpayers runs in the $13,000 to $18,000 annual range per board member based on whether they take individual or family packages.

Overall compensation for board members, while somewhat variable, is therefore approximately in the $20,000 per year range per board member, or $100,000 per year to support the board in total.  It should be noted that the current board awards itself the right and payment for health/dental insurance, but board policy does not allow the health benefit package for part time employees of the district. 

New board member Bryce Huefner indicated that he believed that the board should be viewed more as a public service with only compensation for expenses directly related to board work (and without health benefits).  Board member Pete Cornia indicated that in order to get people interested in running for school board positions, he felt it was necessary to compensate them for their efforts, including the health package.  He noted that from his district there have only been three people in the last 32 years who have run for the board.  He also noted that if there was not some kind of payment, individuals who become angry at a teacher or administrator may run with only one agenda item in mind and that is to get rid of or get even with that individual.  Cornia felt that type of attitude doesn’t make for a good school board.

Cornia said that board members don’t have to take the health insurance benefit that is made available to them.  It is a personal choice.  If an individual already has insurance, he/she can keep their present policy and not take advantage of this benefit.  The payment board members receive can always be donated back to the school if the member doesn’t want that payment.  However, when payment for time and work is made, all must be paid or the state interprets this as being discriminatory.  Thus, all must be paid and the choice of what a board member does with this money is up to the individual board member.  Cornia did not identify any board members who have declined the health benefit.

New board member Eric Wamsley said that he was a small business owner, a taxpayer who had paid taxes for many years, and he had no problem with accepting the current complete compensation package, including the health benefit.

The question was then asked about how much time each board member spends on school matters.  The question was not answered. 

Board member Bryce Huefner made a motion to cancel all school board member compensation benefits, other than those directly related to board business and travel.  The motion died for lack of a second.  Huefner later indicated to these reporters that he will not accept the monthly pay nor any taxpayer funded health benefit package during his term.  Huefner is also a small business owner who has no employee funded or subsidized health insurance package, nor does his family.