$21 Per Meeting Board Member Fee Increase? Predictions?

By Timothy Myers SR. — Tim Myers

The Signal reports today that the Hart District Board will consider a $21 per meeting fee increase at its regular meeting tonight (July 20). Predictably, commenters are outraged that the Board would even CONSIDER a raise in fees (last fee increase was 2006) while the Hart District is in the midst of austerity.

I see a more cynical possibility: Similar to the aluminum siding salesmen in “Tin Men” who would drop a $20 bill on the floor of someone’s living room and then deny it belonged to them in order to build goodwill and credibility, the Board will unanimously vote down the increase to prove how much they can “sacrifice.”

Other predictions?

UPDATE

Oh, boy I should have seen this coming after the City Council vote to increase their pay earlier this year. As the Signal reports the Hart Board did vote 3-2 to increase the monthly fees paid to Board members for attending meetings by (a whopping) $21, and like the City Council the members running for reelection in 2011 voted AGAINST the increase, with incumbent Board member Steve Sturgeon acting all indignant and refusing to take the increase.

In my opinion it does seem illogical to increase Board fees by even a paltry amount during times of austerity. However it seems even more illogical to go for such a small increase. Don’t elected officials know you are supposed to swing for the fences?

Comments (8)

farmingsantaclaritaJuly 20, 2011 at 6:19 pm

I predict if it passes they will hold a lot more meetings.

LindaJuly 20, 2011 at 7:53 pm

What? People are shelling out money in fees to attend school board meetings? Do they have food trucks and entertainment? And what is the total charge, including the $21 increase? Don’t let the City Council get wind of this. They’ll want to start charging too….

ToddJuly 20, 2011 at 10:18 pm

Tim- Gotta lay into you here. If I didn’t actually click the signal link I’d have no freaking clue what you’re talking about. At first I thought that they’d be so bold as to charge admission to the board meetings…. Then quicky came to the conclusion that you were referring to the fees that they charge outside organizations for use if school facilities. Fee != “compensation” or “salary.”. Bad form.

ToddJuly 21, 2011 at 7:58 am

Thanks for clarifying in the update. As you were.

lvogelJuly 21, 2011 at 11:02 am

Okay, I have a question a bit off topic, but sorta along the same lines….sorta. When outside groups have meetings at schools (churches, synagogues, etc) do they pay a fee to the district and if so, where does the $ go exactly?

Timothy Myers SR.July 21, 2011 at 1:10 pm

Lvogel: I can only speak to the SUSD. Pre-austerity the schools would allow nonprofits to use the facilities gratis as long as they could provide a certificate of insurance. Lately they have charged a ridiculously small fee of $50 which is so small I wonder why they even bother collecting it. Back in the day one could have evening events at Arroyo Seco by paying $20 per hour, but it was well worth it because the custodian would set up and break down all the table and chairs without any help from the participants.

lvogelJuly 21, 2011 at 1:32 pm

Thanks for the reply Timothy Myers SR. Insurance makes sense, and as long as the school happens to be closed anyway (summer, winter, fall and spring break) why not get use out of the facility? I’ve been seeing a lot of church meetings on weekends and summer camps at the elementary school in my area and I’ve wondered if a fee is required from the participants. If there is a fee (and even if it’s only 50) who is receiving the money’s: school directly or school board or the custodian who cleans up for the attendees? Your post just reminded me of my curiosity, and from the way I read Todd’s comment, I thought maybe it was in reference to facility usage. One thing I question is that the raise of their salary/compensation is dependent on a board members attendance of meetings. How does one calculate that? Is their compensation reduced or prorated? Do these board members have outside jobs other than this extremely part time job? I would love a part time job where I could also have insurance! It’s rare to find part time jobs with health insurance.

Timothy Myers SR.July 21, 2011 at 3:18 pm

Lvogel: The Board member gets paid the $441 if they attend the meeting. If they miss, they don’t get paid. All of the Board members have other employment, since no one can make a living from $4,800 a year. The health insurance is a nice benefit since it can be worth $2K to $3K a month, so Board members enrolling in the health insurance could be getting compensated up to $40K a year, which is fantastic pay for a part time gig.

farmingsantaclaritaJuly 20, 2011 at 6:19 pm
I predict if it passes they will hold a lot more meetings.
LindaJuly 20, 2011 at 7:53 pm
What? People are shelling out money in fees to attend school board meetings? Do they have food trucks and entertainment? And what is the total charge, including the $21 increase? Don’t let the City Council get wind of this. They’ll want to start charging too….
ToddJuly 20, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Tim- Gotta lay into you here. If I didn’t actually click the signal link I’d have no freaking clue what you’re talking about. At first I thought that they’d be so bold as to charge admission to the board meetings…. Then quicky came to the conclusion that you were referring to the fees that they charge outside organizations for use if school facilities. Fee != “compensation” or “salary.”. Bad form.
ToddJuly 21, 2011 at 7:58 am
Thanks for clarifying in the update. As you were.
lvogelJuly 21, 2011 at 11:02 am
Okay, I have a question a bit off topic, but sorta along the same lines….sorta. When outside groups have meetings at schools (churches, synagogues, etc) do they pay a fee to the district and if so, where does the $ go exactly?
Timothy Myers SR.July 21, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Lvogel: I can only speak to the SUSD. Pre-austerity the schools would allow nonprofits to use the facilities gratis as long as they could provide a certificate of insurance. Lately they have charged a ridiculously small fee of $50 which is so small I wonder why they even bother collecting it. Back in the day one could have evening events at Arroyo Seco by paying $20 per hour, but it was well worth it because the custodian would set up and break down all the table and chairs without any help from the participants.
lvogelJuly 21, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Thanks for the reply Timothy Myers SR. Insurance makes sense, and as long as the school happens to be closed anyway (summer, winter, fall and spring break) why not get use out of the facility? I’ve been seeing a lot of church meetings on weekends and summer camps at the elementary school in my area and I’ve wondered if a fee is required from the participants. If there is a fee (and even if it’s only 50) who is receiving the money’s: school directly or school board or the custodian who cleans up for the attendees? Your post just reminded me of my curiosity, and from the way I read Todd’s comment, I thought maybe it was in reference to facility usage. One thing I question is that the raise of their salary/compensation is dependent on a board members attendance of meetings. How does one calculate that? Is their compensation reduced or prorated? Do these board members have outside jobs other than this extremely part time job? I would love a part time job where I could also have insurance! It’s rare to find part time jobs with health insurance.
Timothy Myers SR.July 21, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Lvogel: The Board member gets paid the $441 if they attend the meeting. If they miss, they don’t get paid. All of the Board members have other employment, since no one can make a living from $4,800 a year. The health insurance is a nice benefit since it can be worth $2K to $3K a month, so Board members enrolling in the health insurance could be getting compensated up to $40K a year, which is fantastic pay for a part time gig.