After debating whether county school board members should be paid, and if ending salaries would threaten diversity on the boards, a House panel took a first step Friday toward letting voters decide the issue in 2022.
The Republican-controlled House Secondary Education & Career Development Subcommittee, in an 11-6 party-line vote, approved a measure (HJR 1461) that would place a proposed constitutional amendment on next year’s ballot about whether to continue paying school board members.
“Florida’s system of compensating school board members with salaries and benefits, to the extent that we do, is a national outlier,” said Rep. Sam Garrison, a Fleming Island Republican who is sponsoring the proposal.
Garrison pointed to a 2018 report from the National School Boards Association showing 61 percent of board members nationally receive no pay. Florida school board members are paid an average of $35,995 annually, according to a House staff analysis. Garrison said school board members receive an additional $10,000 to $11,000 in benefits on average.
In Flagler County, members are currently paid 34,594.
“School boards … serve a vital and important function. They are nonpartisan. They are designed to be the voice of the community and provide oversight in terms of budget and curriculum,” Garrison told the House panel. “It’s a critical function, but one, quite frankly, that unfortunately has … become highly politicized. And, quite frankly I think these salaries have a lot to do with that.”
The proposal was met by passionate objections from some Democrats on the panel, including former Hillsborough County School Board member Susan Valdes, D-Tampa.
“When I was elected to the school board in 2004, I had two jobs. And I only had a high school diploma, of which I’m very proud of,” said Valdés, who added she’s gone on to attain bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Valdés, who left the school board to run for her House seat, recounted the work on the school board.
“I, as a school board member, busted my chops in my district to be able to provide equity in my district, to provide opportunities for students who look like me and others in this community, that otherwise prior to that were completely ignored,” she said.
Valdés said prohibiting pay for school board members would make boards less reflective of their communities’ diversity.
“Diversity within our electoral process is extremely important, and by suggesting that we do this … we’re going to have white males on these boards that never, ever would be able to say they walked a day in my shoes,” Valdés said.
But Rep. Mike Giallombardo, R-Cape Coral, rebutted Valdés’ argument, using the example of a charter school board in his district.
“We have a great charter school … in our district, in my city. And their entire board, they’re all volunteers. And they are just as passionate — in my opinion, more passionate — than our school district members,” Giallombardo said.
Garrison rejected the idea that prohibiting salaries would mean only white men would seek positions on school boards.
“I reject out of hand the notion that only rich people, or white people, or men, would serve on school boards if there’s no salary,” Garrison said.
Eliminating school board member salaries statewide would be a potential savings of more than $15.6 million, according to the House staff analysis.
Rep. Christopher Benjamin, D-Miami Gardens, questioned whether school board members should be treated differently than other elected officials who receive salaries, such property appraisers and sheriffs.
“They are part of a system of governance that’s part of a collective, and all parts are important, wouldn’t you say?” Benjamin asked.
Garrison pointed to differences between school board members and other elected positions, one being that they are part of an oversight board with no executive authority.
“School board members provide that different function, they are an oversight function. They are responsible for budgets, they’re responsible for curriculums,” Garrison said. “Comparing them to sheriffs, comparing them to tax collectors or property appraisers, I respectfully submit, is comparing apples to oranges.”
The Florida School Boards Association opposes the measure.
“School board members, similarly to their constitutionally elected peers such as county commissioners, are currently compensated for their time, their liability, the great responsibility of budget oversight. In many cases in Florida, the hiring and firing of district school superintendents,” said BillieAnne Gay, a lobbyist for the association. “We believe that that should continue.”
Also speaking against the proposal Friday was Chris Doolin, who represents the Small School District Council Consortium, which is made up of rural districts.
“What is the value of inclusion, what is the value of providing the opportunity for diversity?” Doolin said. “The prohibition of compensation will have the effect of limiting the ability of Floridians to consider running.”
The proposal would need approval from two more House panels before it could go to the full House. The Senate does not have a similar proposal. Legislators are paid about $30,000 a year.
–Ryan Dailey, News Service of Florida
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Robin says
Our state legislature is a part-time operation. School Board members are out and about every month of the year; Florida school districts are ISD (county-wide) districts and have much more in terms of budget, personnel, buildings, community facilities, etc. to monitor and make policy.
The idea of a volunteer school board has credence in states where each town has its own school system and local community members can run for election and have the time to volunteer (as with a charter school board**). Volunteer boards in these instances are responsible (in most cases) for a much smaller student/staff population and buildings.
As a former charter school teacher in Michigan it has been my experience that charter school board members are selected by the management company. And they have very limited oversight of the management company.
James M. Mejuto says
Oh ! . . . So you were a ‘charter school’ teacher but not a magnate school !
Wonderful how you decided your career !
James M. Mejuto
James M. Mejuto says
$34,594 . . . Huh ! There used to be a time, early in our country’s history such positions were
prestigious and voluntary. When you served on a committee and worked-out the problems of schools
and education you were looked-up to and considered smart by members of your community. Now, we
have to pay them . . . dearly.
James M. Mejuto
Helen Siegel says
“I reject out of hand the notion that only rich people, or white people, or men, would serve on school boards if there’s no salary,” Garrison said.
I couldn’t agree more with the above statement. I served on a school board in NJ for 9 years where BOE members are volunteer and unpaid. Anyone who runs for the School Board because it is a paid position is, in my opinion, disqualified to serve. All school boards, whether paid or unpaid, serve as oversight bodies, walking the fine line of protecting the taxpayer’s interests while providing an exemplary education for ALL students. The hiring and firing of Superintendents is the most significant role that Boards are responsible for. Negotiating teachers’ contacts and overseeing the annual budget falls next on the list. Oversight of curriculum and instruction follows suit and is an area where micromanagement frequently occurs. The role, while distinctly circumscribed is often muddied by personal agendas.
The role is pretty much standard from state to state. It’s not an easy job if it is done with integrity and motivation that does not include monetary reimbursement.
I was shocked to hear that Board of Education members in Florida, along with a number of other states are compensated financially, and with other benefits to boot. It’s also the key element in the politicizing of School Board elections.
Michael Cocchiola says
Actually, no, as long as QAnon co-conspirator and anti-vaxxer Janet McDonald is on the board.
ASF says
“School Boards are non-partisan”? Apparently, they haven’t met Janet “lose the masks” McDonald.
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
They shouldn’t be paid, but then neither should city councilmen.
James M. Mejuto says
re: Samuel: I’m in complete agreement, town and city councilmen and Board of Ed. should not
be paid positions. No positions having to do with running town/city business should be paid.
Getting money ‘out of politics’ cleanses the soul.
James M. Mejuto
Percy's mother says
Do you know how much a city councilman makes in a year here in Palm Coast?
Richard says
No. They should not be paid. Their “pay” should be be contributing to the education of Flagler County children.
GORDON BUTLER says
There are 16,800 school districts in the United States. Many districts are very small with just a few schools but Florida has countywide school districts. There is a big difference between the work required in a school district with 3 schools and a district with 50, 100, or 392 schools as in Dade County. If a school board member is not worth the cost of a beginning teacher, then elect someone with the ability and attitude to earn their salary.
Trailer Bob says
Pity party of the day, hey?
I served on many boards in my day, and got paid zero. Yet, we had a diverse group on all those boards. This race shit is getting really tired and damaging.
Can’t we just be PEOPLE? Damn…
Erobot says
No, we can’t just be people who go about our business, helping each other when in need and otherwise minding our own business. It’s getting disgusting. Pay for public service — no. It’s an honor to be able to serve.
Helen Siegel says
Maryland has County wide Districts. Board members are not paid. The larger school districts can also have Boards with more members. More people to divide the work.
Smaller Districts often have 5 members.
To Mike C.
As far as School Boards being non-partisan. They are in as one does not have to declare a Party to run. In NJ we used to vote on budgets and BOE members in April. This was also perceived as a way of keeping politics out of school Boards. That has since changed. Budgets are no longer voted on unless they exceed the cap and BOE elections and budget elections are voted on in the general election in Nov.
Flagler County may or may not be typical of most Counties in Florida regarding Boards of Education. I was surprised to find that the BOE offices are in the same building as the local government offices. It’s a matter of perception in some minds. Having a daughter who teaches in Volusia County, where school Board drama runs low, I would say that Flager County having the distinction of being the last County in Florida to integrate schools, may be an exception.
tulip says
I think it would be fair to pay for the gasoline, and a small car allowance for wear and tear.
Also, any travel and expenses associated with school business. No salary. If there is no decently large amount of money and perks involved, people who are only interested in the money part will want to be on board and those that really really care will apply for the job
.
Councilmen should be paid and they are not paid very much, at least not in Palm Coast. They have to make many more decisions and have many more meetings far more than the school board and the “lawmakers” and leaders know how to get things done in the city which puts a lot of responsibility for the residents on their shoulders. That is worth something. No one could afford to live on a councilperson’s salary alone, that’s why they have other jobs or are retired and well off.
However, the county commissioners are overpaid–well over $50,000 a year plus perks and they do not work a steady 40 hours a week like most workers. As the population grows, they will get paid even more money–for what. That is the way the state runs things. If the salary weren’t so very high, we would have people applying because they cared and not because it pays well with insurance and retirement plan.
James M. Mejuto says
re: Tulip says: What “wear and tear” and “travel expenses associated with school business” . . . you
have got to be kidding me ! This is all part of the job for our community, a voluntary decision to
serve the people.
The entire political structure of local gov’t has to be overhauled . A country commission position does
not require a salary. You see: This is what’s meant : as voluntary community service !
The Retired, Seniors Community is ready to serve these positions . . . and without salaries and perks.
Asher Moss says
That’s the problem. If you take away the salary then the only people who can afford to be school board members are those who are retired or have light jobs.
James M. Mejuto says
And this is bad . . . How!
James M. Mejuto
Dennis says
No way. That’s a joke.
Sherry says
Consider the possibility that we could have a non-paid dedicated school board who would have access to an attorney or other “professional” resources on an “as needed” basis. We should strive to keep partisan politics, religious preferences, and personal cultural opinions OUT of school board policy making and meetings.
Only Me says
You still have McDonald on that Board have a very low opinion of that Board to continue to keep her on. No I don’t agree with any pay, they don’t even select reputable members.
Hush $$$ says
I say it’s worth every penny to pay Quack McDonald to go away……
James M. Mejuto says
Ya know ! I’m sick n’ tired of people complaining. You had your chance to vote but you
threw it all away . . . often, you never went out to vote but went shopping instead
and stayed home watching ‘dancing with the stars’ or some other stupid program on TV.
Now, you want to declare a holiday for voting . . . REALLY !
MikeM says
Maybe property tax breaks for their service , but no pay.