The Board of Education members in the United States are paid a salary for their work.
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Introduction
The quick answer is that board of education members typically do not get paid, although there are some exceptions. In most cases, school board members are volunteers who give their time and energy to improve their local schools. They may receive a small stipend to cover expenses related to their work on the board, but they do not receive a salary.
There are a few exceptions to this rule. In some larger school districts, board members may be paid a small salary. In addition, some states (such as California) allow school boards to vote to pay their members a salary if they choose to do so. Finally, in some cases school board members may receive health benefits or other perks in addition to any stipend they may receive.
If you have any questions about whether your school board member gets paid, you can contact your local school district or check the website of your state’s department of education.
The Role of Board of Education Members
In most states, the board of education is the governing body for the public school system. The board sets policy and hires the superintendent to run the day-to-day operations of the district. Board members are usually elected to staggered four-year terms. Some boards have terms of two or three years.
The role of board members varies from state to state, but typically includes setting district policy, approving the budget, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and representing the community in matters involving the school district. In some states, board members also have collective bargaining rights.
Most states require board members to complete training on their roles and responsibilities before taking office. Some states also have Continuing Education requirements for board members.
Board of education member salaries vary from state to state and even within states. In California, for example, board member salaries range from $0 per year (for small districts) to $19,000 per year (for large districts). New York pays its board members a stipend of $125 per day for up to 175 days per year. Ballotpedia collected data on school board member salaries in 2018 and will update this information as new data becomes available.
Quick contact information for state boards of education can be found here: State Boards of Education Contact Information
Qualifications and Training
To be eligible to serve on the board, members must:
Be at least 18 years old
Be U.S. citizens
Live in the state of California
Not be employed by the school district they wish to represent
There are no specific training requirements to become a member of the board, but most members have experience in education or another field related to the operation of a school district.
Board of Education Member Duties
Board of education members in the state of California are typically responsible for establishing district policies, approving the district budget, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and advocating for the needs of their district to the state legislature. In some districts, board members may also be responsible for approving school site budgets and authorizing construction projects.
Board members are typically elected to four-year terms, though in some districts they may serve two- or three-year terms. Board member terms are typically staggered so that only a portion of the board is up for re-election at any given time. In California, board elections are typically held in November of odd-numbered years.
Board members in California do not receive a salary for their service, though they may receive a per diem stipend for attending board meetings. In addition, many districts offer board members health benefits and access to district facilities, such as gyms and libraries.
Time Commitment
The time commitment for board members may vary by district. Some districts hold night meetings while others meet during the day. Most boards meet once a month, but some boards meet more or less often, depending on the needs of the district. Some districts provide release time for board members to attend meetings, while others do not. In general, board members are expected to attend monthly board meetings, committee meetings, and training sessions. They are also expected to visit their district’s schools and participate in district events.
The salary of board members varies by district and is set by the Board itself. In some districts, board members receive a stipend for attending meetings and participating in district activities. In other districts, board members do not receive any compensation for their service.
Board of Education Member Compensation
In most states, board of education members are not paid for their service on the board. This is usually because the position is considered to be a volunteer position. However, there are some states that do pay their board members. For example, in California, board members are paid $50 per meeting that they attend, with a maximum of $400 per month.
In New York, board members are not paid a salary, but they do receive a stipend to cover expenses. The amount of the stipend varies from school district to school district. In some districts, the stipend is $100 per meeting attended, while in others it may be as much as $1,000 per month.
There are also some school districts that do not have a policy on how much board members should be paid. In these cases, it is up to the individual school districts to set their own compensation rates.
You can find out if your state pays board of education members by visiting your state’s government website or contacting your state’s department of education. You can also check with your local school district to see if they have a policy on board member compensation.
Benefits and Perks
The salary and benefits of school board members depend on the district they represent. In 2017, the median annual salary for school board members was $4,986, with a range of $0-$40,000. While some school board members are paid a per diem rate for meeting attendance, most are not.
Other benefits and perks for school board members can include district-paid health insurance, travel reimbursement, and expense accounts. Some districts also offer retirement benefits to their school board members. In California, for example, school board members who participate in the state’s Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) can receive up to $24,192 per year in retirement benefits.
Ballotpedia does not currently have data on the total compensation (including salary and benefits) of school board members in each state. However, we do have data on the average annual salary of elected officials in each state. In 2016, the average annual salary for all elected officials in the United States was $10,700.
Drawbacks
Though most board members are not paid a salary, they may be reimbursed for certain expenses related to their work on the board. balloted-related expenses can add up, and some school boards have chosen to give their members a stipend to offset these costs.
In California, for example, state law does not require school boards to pay their members, but does allow for districts to reimburse them for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred while performing their duties. According to Ballotpedia, the typical monthly stipend in California ranges from $50 to $1,000, depending on the size of the district.
In New York, board members are not paid a salary, but they may receive a small per diem payment for each meeting they attend. According to the New York State School Boards Association, the average per diem payment is around $50.
Even if board members are not paid a salary or stipend, they may still be eligible for health insurance and other benefits. These benefits vary from district to district and depend on state law and local policies.
The Future of Board of Education Members
In November 2016, Californians will vote on a ballot initiative that, if passed, would do away with the traditional model of school boards in the state. Board members would no longer be elected by voters in their districts, but would instead be appointed by the mayor or other city officials. This change would affects boards statewide, including the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, on which current members make an annual salary of $52,000.
The measure is being proposed as a way to improve accountability and efficiency in the state’s education system. Supporters say that appointed boards would be less political and more focused on the needs of students. Opponents argue that elected boards are more representative of the community and that appointees would be more likely to rubber-stamp the decisions of city officials.
What do you think? Would appointment of board members be good for California’s schools?
Conclusion
While board of education members in some states are paid, many are not. In California, for example, school board members receive no salary, but they may be reimbursed for expenses related to their work on the board. New York school board members are not paid a salary, but they may receive per diem payments when attending meetings.
To find out whether your state’s school board members are paid, check your state’s education department website or contact your state school board association. You can also check the website Ballotpedia, which has a quick reference guide to school board member salaries by state.
In Pennsylvania, school board members are not paid for their work. They receive a stipend from the state that is used to cover expenses such as office supplies and postage. Reference: do school board members get paid in pa.
