Jordan School Board opts to reconsider its pay raise

Following a firestorm of public criticism, the Jordan Board of Education voted Tuesday to reconsider its pay raise — but not until after an Aug. 21 public hearing, as required by law.

The likely casualty: the insurance cash-out worth more than $17,000 a year, which some members lamented they couldn't reverse immediately. Board members Ellen Wallace and Peggy Jo Kennett also want to rethink tying the board's pay raise to inflation.

Several in the audience of 75 thanked the board for reconsidering the controversial move.

"I find it really hard to justify your getting compensated when teachers who opt out of the (insurance) program don't," said Gay Quinn, a teacher and mother of seven. "Teachers' morales are pretty low and ... we just thought this was the straw that broke the camel's back."

The board last month voted to quadruple members' pay to $12,000 a year, let the salary rise with inflation, and let board members cash out insurance benefits. Ultimately, board members could make nearly $30,000 a year, comparable to a beginning teacher's salary.

The unanimous action followed a new state law allowing boards to set their own compensation, which had been limited to $3,000 a year. Jordan board members studied it from a few angles, including time put in — 15 to 25 hours a week in their official capacities, which was about $3 an hour before the raise, they said — and how much local city councils make.

The pay raise was aimed at elevating the board's profile to a part-time rather than a volunteer board, and set an example that other school boards could follow, board member Kim Horiuchi has said. Horiuchi works part-time for the Deseret Morning News.

"We chose to be pioneers," board President J. Dale Christensen said Tuesday. "We are the governing body of a very large school district, and we have a very, very challenging responsibility to ensure appropriate education opportunities for nearly 80,000 students and ... nearly 9,000 employees."

But many residents were furious. Jordan School District spokeswoman Melinda Colton estimates the district has fielded 300 phone calls from angry residents.

"I have no problem with you being compensated for what you're doing," Sandy resident and schoolteacher Gina Knowles told the board Tuesday. "But four times the compensation, I thought, was a bit excessive," and the insurance cash-out for board members should be extended to other employees.

One teacher said the board's action was disrespectful.

Some also questioned the examination's timing since several employees are on vacation in the summer.

The Jordan Classified Professional Association wanted the board to set aside the insurance option and study offering the same perk to all employees.