AMERICAN FORK — The Alpine School Board on Tuesday unanimously approved doubling board member compensation.

Board members have previously been paid $250 each month for their duties. That payment will now increase to $500 monthly.

There also is an increase in compensation for up to 12 extra meetings beyond official board meetings. This will be raised from $60 to $120 for meetings under four hours. For meetings over four hours, it will increase from $90 to $180.

Alpine District Superintendent Vern Henshaw says he agrees with the action, especially regarding the magnitude and scope required of the board members.

"It's far beyond just coming to a board meeting," Henshaw said.

The Utah State Legislature passed a law in 2007 allowing school boards to determine their own compensation. The law also allows compensation for up to 12 extra meetings per year.

Alpine district generally has two regular meetings per month along with two study sessions and closed sessions, for a total of six meetings monthly. Extra meetings could include meetings with district administrators, committees, legislative luncheons and cluster meetings.

"My first year I served I attended about 85 extra meetings aside from the regular board meetings," said board chairwoman Debbie Taylor.

She added that the complexity of the job, the time and commitment of the board members and the demands of the public have increased over the years.

"We do a tremendous amount of visiting in the schools and in the community," Taylor said. "And that is wonderful. And we're very happy to do it. But the demands have grown significantly. And I feel $500 per month is very justifiable."

Besides compensation, the district also pays for board members to attend the national and state school board conventions. Board members can also opt for the district's health insurance plan.

For the total board, in the 2006-07 school year, Alpine district spent $16,193 sending board members to conventions. The district spent $54,873 for board member insurance last school year, according to district officials.

Board members receive a Macintosh laptop to use during their term. The district was the first in the state to implement this practice, about four years ago.

Dinner is served at about 16 board meetings per year.

Alpine district board members are compensated for mileage to board meetings and district events. This is based on the IRS reimbursement rate, which is currently around 50 cents.

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E-mail: astewart@desnews.com